N-pyridinyl acetamide derivatives as inhibitors of the wnt signaling pathway

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are compounds useful as inhibitors of the Wnt signalling pathway. Specifically, inhibitors of Porcupine (Porcn) are contemplated by the invention. In addition, the invention contemplates processes to prepare the compounds and uses of the compounds. The compounds of the invention may therefore be used in treating conditions mediated by the Wnt signalling pathway, for example, in treating cancer, sarcoma, melanoma, skin cancer, haematological tumors, lymphoma, carcinoma, and leukemia; or enhancing the effectiveness of an anti-cancer treatment.

This invention relates to compounds. More specifically, the inventionrelates to compounds useful as inhibitors of the Wnt signalling pathway.Specifically, inhibitors of Porcupine (Porcn) are contemplated by theinvention. In addition the invention contemplates processes to preparethe compounds and uses of the compounds.

The compounds of the invention may therefore be used in treatingconditions mediated by the Wnt signalling pathway, for example secretedWnt ligand mediated diseases which may be treated by inhibition ofporcupine; treating cancer, sarcoma, melanoma, skin cancer,haematological tumors, lymphoma, carcinoma, and leukemia; or enhancingthe effectiveness of an anti-cancer treatment.

BACKGROUND

The Wnt genes encode a large and highly conserved family of secretedgrowth factors. During normal development, transcription of Wnt familygenes is tightly regulated both temporally and spatially. To date, 19Wnt proteins have been discovered in humans. All of the Wnt proteins are38- to 43-kDa cysteine-rich glycoproteins. Wnts have a range of rolesduring development, governing cell fate, migration, proliferation anddeath. These include body axis formation in zebrafish and xenopus, wingand eye development in drosophila and brain development in mice (Parr,et al. (1994) Curr. Opinion Genetics & Devel. 4:523-528, McMahon A P,Bradley A (1990) Cell 62: 1073-1085). In adults the role of Wnts isthought to be linked to maintaining tissue homeostasis with aberrantsignalling implicated in a variety of cancers.

Wnt-mediated signalling occurs through binding of Wnt ligand to frizzled(Fzd) proteins, seven-transmembrane receptors. These receptors containan N-terminal cysteine rich domain (CRD) which serves as the Wnt bindingdomain. Binding is stabilised by low-density-lipoproteinreceptor-related proteins 5 and 6 (Lrp5 and Lrp6) (He, et al. (2004) DevApril; 131(8):1663-77). Fizzled ligation by Wnt is known to activate atleast three different signalling pathways including the “canonical”β-catenin pathway, “non-canonical” planar cell polarity (PCP) andcalcium pathways. Wnt signalling is further regulated by alternativereceptors, including Ror2, secreted antagonists, such as WIF-1 (Hsieh,et al. (1999) Nature April 1; 398(6726):431-6) and alternative Wntreceptors, such as Dickkopf (DKK) (Niehrs C (2006) Oncogene December 4;25(57):7469-81).

When inactive, β-Catenin is rapidly turned over by a conglomeration ofseveral proteins known as the “destruction complex”. The complexconsists of Axin, adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), casein kinase(CK)-1a and glycogen synthasekinase (GSK)-3β (Hamada, et al. (1999)Science 12; 283(5408):1739-42). In this state, β-catenin isphosphorylated on serine-threonine on the amino terminus leading toubiquitination (Behrens, et al. (1998) Science 280: 596-599). In thecanonical pathway of Wnt activation, Wnt-ligated Fzd binds to andactivates cytoplasmic Dishevelled (Dvi) (Chen, et al. (2003) Science301:1391-94). Wnt-ligated Lrp5 and Lrp6 directly bind to cytoplasmicAxin, inhibiting its function as a destruction complex stabiliser (Zeng,et al. (2008) Dev. 135, 367-375). These associations lead to adestabilisation of the destruction complex and cytosolic accumulation ofβ-catenin. Stabilisation and accumulation of β-catenin leads to nucleartranslocation where it complexes with T cell factor/lymphoid enhancerfactor (TCF/LEF) high mobility group transcription factors and promotestranscription of target genes such as Cyclin D1, p21 and cMyc.

Oncogenic mutations in the β-catenin gene CTNNb1 exclusively affectspecific serine and threonine and surrounding residues vital fortargeted degradation by APC (Hart, et al. (1999) Curr. Biol. 9:207-210).This interaction is especially apparent in colorectal cancer, where themajority of tumours present with APC mutations and an increasedproportion of the remainder express CTNNb1 mutations (Iwao, et al.(1998) Cancer Res Mar. 1, 1998 58; 1021).

Many recent studies have investigated compounds targeting β-catenin orother downstream Wnt pathway proteins. Recent research suggests thatmodulating Wnt-Wnt receptor interaction at the cell surface is effectivein reducing cell oncogenicity. This has been shown in systems withtumourgenicity driven by Wnt ligand overexpression (Liu, et al. (2013)PNAS 10; 110(50):20224-9) and where Wnt expression is driven bydownstream pathway activation (Vincan et al., Differentiation 2005; 73:142-153). Vincan et al transfected non-functional Frd7 receptor into aSK-CO-1 cell line with a homozygous APC mutation driving Wnt pathwayactivation. These cells demonstrated modulated morphology and reducedtumour-forming efficiency compared to parental cells in a xenograftmodel. This data suggests that modulating Wnt ligand-mediated signallingmay have a beneficial effect even in malignancies with downstream Wntpathway mutations.

The described invention is proposed to inhibit Wnt-mediated signalling.This includes paracrine signalling in the tissues surrounding tumoursand autocrine and paracrine signalling in cancer cells.

Wnt proteins undergo post-translational modification, shown in severalmutation experiments to be vital for effective protein trafficking andsecretion (Tang, et al. (2012) Dev. Biol 364, 32-41, Takada, R. et al(2006) Dev. Cell 11, 791-801). Palmitoylation of Wnt proteins occurs atseveral conserved amino acids (C77, S209) and is performed by porcupine,an O-acetyltransferase, in the endoplasmic reticulum. Mutations inporcupine have been shown to be the cause of developmental disorders,including focal dermal hypoplasia, through impaired Wnt pathwaysignalling (Grzeschik, et al. (2007) Nat. Genet, 39 pp. 833-835). Thedependence of Wnt ligand signalling on porcupine and the body ofevidence linking Wnt pathway signalling to cancer has led to porcupinebeing identified as a potential anti-cancer target.

US 2014/0038922 discloses compounds that inhibit the Wnt signallingpathway and the use of these compounds in the treatment of Wntsignalling-related diseases. Similarly, WO 2012/003189 and WO2010/101849 disclose compounds and methods for modulating Wnt signallingpathway.

An aim of the present invention is to provide alternative or improvedWnt signalling modulators. For example, an aim of the present inventionis to provide alternative or improved Wnt signalling inhibitors,optionally inhibitors of porcupine.

Furthermore, it is an aim of certain embodiments of this invention toprovide new compounds for use in: Wnt mediated diseases, such assecreted Wnt ligand mediated diseases which may be treated by inhibitionof porcupine; treating cancer, sarcoma, melanoma, skin cancer,haematological tumors, lymphoma, carcinoma, and leukemia; or enhancingthe effectiveness of an anti-cancer treatment.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of this invention to provide newcancer treatments. In particular, it is an aim of certain embodiments ofthis invention to provide compounds which have comparable activity toexisting treatments, ideally they should have better activity. Certainembodiments of the invention also aim to provide improved solubilitycompared to prior art compounds and existing therapies. It isparticularly attractive for certain compounds of the invention toprovide better activity and better solubility over known compounds.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of this invention to providecompounds which exhibit reduced cytotoxicity relative to prior artcompounds and existing therapies.

Another aim of certain embodiments of this invention is to providecompounds having a convenient pharmacokinetic profile and a suitableduration of action following dosing. A further aim of certainembodiments of this invention is to provide compounds in which themetabolised fragment or fragments of the drug after absorption are GRAS(Generally Regarded As Safe).

Certain embodiments of the present invention satisfy some or all of theabove aims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a compound offormula (I):

whereinhet¹ represents a 5 membered heterocyclic ring system comprising 1, 2 or3 heteroatoms selected from N, O or S and being unsubstituted orsubstituted, and when substituted the ring system is substituted with 1,2, or 3 groups independently selected at each occurrence from: halo,C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haoalkyl, —OR^(A2), —NR^(A2)R^(B2), —CN, —SO₂R^(A2),and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl;het¹ has a bond to het² and to —(CR¹R²)_(m)C(O)NR³—, wherein het² and—(CR¹R²)_(m)C(O)NR³— are bonded to non-adjacent atoms of het¹;het² is a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic ring which may be unsubstitutedor substituted, and when substituted the ring is substituted with 1, 2or 3 groups independently selected at each occurrence from: halo, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A1), —NR^(A1)R^(B1), —CN, —NO₂,—NR^(A1)C(O)R^(B1), —C(O)NR^(A1)R^(B1), —NR^(A1)SO₂R^(B1),—SO₂NR^(A1)R^(B1), —SO₂R^(A1), —C(O)R^(A1), —C(O)OR^(A1) and C₃₋₆cycloalkyl;het³ is a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic ring or a phenyl ring which maybe unsubstituted or substituted, and when substituted the ring issubstituted with 1, 2 or 3 groups independently selected at eachoccurrence from: halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A1),—NR^(A1)R^(B1), —CN, —NO₂, —NR^(A1)C(O)R^(B1), —C(O)NR^(A1)R^(B1),—NR^(A1)SO₂R^(B1), —SO₂NR^(A1)R^(B1), —SO₂R^(A1), —C(O)R^(A1),—C(O)OR^(A) and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl;R¹ and R² are independently selected at each occurrence from: H, halo,C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A3), —NR^(A3)R^(B3) and C₃₋₆cycloalkyl;R³ is selected from: H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl;R⁴ is independently selected at each occurrence from: halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl,C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —CN, —OR^(A4), —NR^(A4)R^(B4), —SO₂R^(A4), C₃₋₆cycloalkyl and C₃₋₆ halocycloalkyl;m is selected from, 1, 2 or 3;n is selected from 0, 1 or 2; andR^(A1), R^(B1), R^(A2), R^(B2), R^(A3), R^(B3), R^(A4) and R^(B4) are ateach occurrence independently selected from: H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄haloalkyl.

In an embodiment the compound according to formula (I) is a compoundaccording to formulae (IIa) or (IIb):

Het² may represent a 5 or 6 membered heterocycloalkyl,heterocycloalkenyl or heteroaryl ring which may be unsubstituted orsubstituted. Preferably, het² may represent a 5 or 6 memberedheterocycloalkenyl or heteroaryl ring which may be unsubstituted orsubstituted. Most preferably, het² may represent a 5 or 6 memberedheteroaryl ring which may be unsubstituted or substituted.

Het² may be represented by an aromatic, saturated or unsaturated 5 or 6membered heterocyclic ring which is unsubstituted or substituted. Het²may be represented by an aromatic, saturated or unsaturated 5 or 6membered heterocyclic ring which is unsubstituted or substituted whereinthe heterocyclic ring contains 1, 2 or 3 N heteroatoms, optionally withno additional heteroatoms (other than N).

Het² may be represented by a ring selected from unsubstituted orsubstituted: pyrazole, imidazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine,pyridazine, thiazole, isothiazole, triazole, oxazole, isoxazole,dihydropyridine, tetrahydropyridine, pyran, tetrahydropyran,dihydropyran, piperidine, piperazine, morpholine, thiomorpholine,oxazine, dioxine, dioxane, thiazine, oxathiane and dithiane.

Het² may be represented by a ring selected from unsubstituted orsubstituted: pyrazole, imidazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine,pyridazine, pyran, tetrahydropyran, dihydropyran, piperidine,piperazine, morpholine, thiomorpholine, oxazine, dioxine, dioxane,thiazine, oxathiane and dithiane.

Preferably, het² may be represented by unsubstituted or substituted:pyrazole, imidazole, pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, thiazole,isothiazole, triazole, isoxazole, tetrahydropyridine, tetrahydropyranand dihydropyran.

Particularly preferred, het² may be represented by unsubstituted orsubstituted: pyridine, pyrazole, tetrahydropyran and dihydropyran.

Preferably, het² may be represented by unsubstituted or substituted:pyrazole, imidazole, pyridine, tetrahydropyran, dihydropyran,piperidine, piperazine and morpholine.

Het² may be represented by a ring selected from unsubstituted orsubstituted: pyrazole, imidazole, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine,pyran, tetrahydropyran, dihydropyran, piperidine, piperazine,morpholine, thiomorpholine, oxazine, dioxine, dioxane, thiazine,oxathiane and dithiane.

Het² may be represented by unsubstituted or substituted: pyrazole,imidazole, tetrahydropyran, dihydropyran, piperidine, piperazine andmorpholine.

Het² may be represented by a ring selected from unsubstituted orsubstituted: pyrazole, imidazole, pyran, tetrahydropyran, dihydropyran,piperazine, morpholine, thiomorpholine, oxazine, dioxine, dioxane,thiazine, oxathiane and dithiane.

Het² may be represented by unsubstituted or substituted: pyrazole,imidazole, tetrahydropyran, dihydropyran, piperazine and morpholine.

Optionally, het² is represented by an unsubstituted or substitutedpyridine.

Het² may be unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 groups selectedfrom: halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A1), —NO₂,—NR^(A1)C(O)R^(B1), —NR^(A1)SO₂R^(B1), —SO₂NR^(A1)R^(B1), —SO₂R^(A1),—C(O)R^(A1), —C(O)OR^(A1) and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl

Het² may be unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups selectedfrom: halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A1), —NR^(A1)R^(A1), —CN,—C(O)OR^(A1) and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl. Preferably, het² may be unsubstitutedor substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups selected from: halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl,—OR^(A1), and C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, wherein R^(A1) is H, methyl, ortrifluoromethyl.

Het² may be unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups selectedfrom: halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A1), —NR^(A1)R^(B1), —CNand C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl. Preferably, het² may be unsubstituted orsubstituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups selected from: halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl,—OR^(A1), and C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, wherein R^(A1) is H, methyl, ortrifluoromethyl.

In a preferred embodiment het² is unsubstituted or substituted with 1 or2 groups selected from: fluoro, chloro, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl,difluormethyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, cyclopentyl,cyclopropyl, —NH₂, —NMe₂, —CN, —C(O)OtBu, —OMe and —OCF₃.

In a particularly preferred embodiment het² is unsubstituted orsubstituted with 1 or 2 groups selected from: fluoro, methyl,trifluoromethyl and —CN.

In a particular preferred embodiment het² is unsubstituted orsubstituted with 1 or 2 groups selected from: fluoro, chloro, methyl,ethyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, and —OCF₃.

Preferably, het² is unsubstituted or substituted with 1 or 2 groups.More preferably, het² is unsubstituted or substituted with 1 group.

Het² may be unsubstituted pyridine, unsubstituted thiazole,unsubstituted triazole, unsubstituted pyrazole, unsubstitutedisothiazole, unsubstituted pyrimidine, unsubstituted isoxazole,unsubstituted pyridazine, unsubstituted tetrahydropyridine,unsubstituted tetrahydropyran, unsubstituted dihydropyran,methylpyridine, dimethylpyridine, ethylpyridine, iso-propylpyridine,tert-butylpyridine, difluoromethylpyridine, trifluoromethylpyridine,fluoropyridine, chloropyridine, methoxypyridine, ethyoxypyridine,aminopyridine, N-methyl-aminopyridine, N,N-dimethyl-aminopyridine,nitropyridine, cyanopyridine, cyclopropylpyridine, cyclopentylpyridine,methylthiazole, dimethylthiazole, ethylthiazole, iso-propylthiazole,tert-butylthiazole, difluoromethylthiazole, trifluoromethylthiazole,fluorothiazole, chlorothiazole, methoxythiazole, ethyoxythiazole,aminothiazole, N-methyl-aminothiazole, N,N-dimethyl-aminothiazole,nitrothiazole, cyanothiazole, cyclopropyl thiazole, cyclopentylthiazole,methyltriazole, dimethyltriazole, ethyltriazole, iso-propyltriazole,tert-butyltriazole, difluoromethyltriazole, trifluoromethyltriazole,fluorotriazole, chlorotriazole, methoxytriazole, ethyoxytriazole,aminotriazole, N-methyl-aminotriazole, N,N-dimethyl-aminotriazole,nitrotriazole, cyanotriazole, cyclopropyltriazole, cyclopentyltriazole,methylpyrazole, dimethylpyrazole, ethylpyrazole, iso-propylpyrazole,tert-butylpyrazole, difluoromethylpyrazole,methyl(trifluoromethyl)pyrazole, trifluoromethylpyrazole,fluoropyrazole, chloropyrazole, methoxypyrazole, ethyoxypyrazole,aminopyrazole, N-methyl-aminopyrazole, N,N-dimethyl-aminopyrazole,nitropyrazole, cyanopyrazole, cyclopropylpyrazole, cyclopentylpyrazole,methylisothiazole, dimethylisothiazole, ethylisothiazole,iso-propylisothiazole, tert-butylisothiazole, difluoromethylisothiazole,trifluoromethylisothiazole, fluoroisothiazole, chloroisothiazole,methoxyisothiazole, ethyoxyisothiazole, aminoisothiazole,N-methyl-aminoisothiazole, N,N-dimethyl-aminoisothiazole,nitroisothiazole, cyanoisothiazole, cyclopropylisothiazole,cyclopentylisothiazole, methylpyrimidine, dimethylpyrimidine,ethylpyrimidine, iso-propylpyrimidine, tert-butylpyrimidine,difluoromethylpyrimidine, trifluoromethylpyrimidine, fluoropyrimidine,chloropyrimidine, methoxypyrimidine, ethyoxypyrimidine, aminopyrimidine,N-methyl-aminopyrimidine, N,N-dimethyl-aminopyrimidine,N,N-dimethyl-amino(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidine, nitropyrimidine,cyanopyrimidine, cyclopropylpyrimidine, cyclopentylpyrimidine,methylisoxazole, dimethylisoxazole, ethylisoxazole, iso-propylisoxazole,tert-butylisoxazole, difluoromethylisoxazole, trifluoromethylisoxazole,fluoroisoxazole, chloroisoxazole, methoxyisoxazole, ethyoxyisoxazole,aminoisoxazole, N-methyl-aminoisoxazole, N,N-dimethyl-aminoisoxazole,nitroisoxazole, cyanoisoxazole, cyclopropylisoxazole,cyclopentylisoxazole, methylpyridazine, dimethylpyridazine,ethylpyridazine, iso-propylpyridazine, tert-butylpyridazine,difluoromethylpyridazine, trifluoromethylpyridazine, fluoropyridazine,chloropyridazine, methoxypyridazine, ethyoxypyridazine, aminopyridazine,N-methyl-aminopyridazine, N,N-dimethyl-aminopyridazine, nitropyridazine,cyanopyridazine, cyclopropylpyridazine, cyclopentylpyridazine,methyltetrahydropyridine, dimethyltetrahydropyridine,ethyltetrahydropyridine, iso-propyltetrahydropyridine,tert-butyltetrahydropyridine, difluoromethyltetrahydropyridine,trifluoromethyltetrahydropyridine, fluorotetrahydropyridine,chlorotetrahydropyridine, methoxytetrahydropyridine,ethyoxytetrahydropyridine, aminotetrahydropyridine,N-methyl-aminotetrahydropyridine, N,N-dimethyl-aminotetrahydropyridine,nitrotetrahydropyridine, cyanotetrahydropyridine,cyclopropyltetrahydropyridine, cyclopentyltetrahydropyridine,methyltetrahydropyran, dimethyltetrahydropyran, ethyltetrahydropyran,iso-propyltetrahydropyran, tert-butyltetrahydropyran,difluoromethyltetrahydropyran, trifluoromethyltetrahydropyran,fluorotetrahydropyran, chlorotetrahydropyran, methoxytetrahydropyran,ethyoxytetrahydropyran, aminotetrahydropyran,N-methyl-aminotetrahydropyran, N,N-dimethyl-aminotetrahydropyran,nitrotetrahydropyran, cyanotetrahydropyran, cyclopropyltetrahydropyran,cyclopentyltetrahydropyran, methyldihydropyran, dimethyldihydropyranethyldihydropyran, iso-propyldihydropyran, tert-butyldihydropyran,difluoromethyldihydropyran, trifluoromethyldihydropyran,fluorodihydropyran, chlorodihydropyran, methoxydihydropyran,ethyoxydihydropyran, aminodihydropyran, N-methyl-aminodihydropyran,N,N-dimethyl-aminodihydropyran, nitrodihydropyran, cyanodihydropyrancyclopropyldihydropyran, and cyclopentyldihydropyran.

Het² may be unsubstituted pyridine, unsubstituted tetrahydropyran,unsubstituted dihydropyran, unsubstituted piperidine, unsubstitutedpiperazine and unsubstituted morpholine, methylpyridine, ethylpyridine,iso-propylpyridine, tert-butylpyridine, trifluoromethylpyridine,methoxypyridine, ethyoxypyridine, aminopyridine, N-methyl-aminopyridine,N,N-dimethyl-aminopyridine, nitropyridine, cyanopyridine,methyltetrahydropyran, ethyltetrahydropyran, iso-propyltetrahydropyran,tert-butyltetrahydropyran, trifluoromethyltetrahydropyran,methoxytetrahydropyran, ethyoxytetrahydropyran, aminotetrahydropyran,N-methyl-aminotetrahydropyran, N,N-dimethyl-aminotetrahydropyran,nitrotetrahydropyran, cyanotetrahydropyran, methyldihydropyran,ethyldihydropyran, iso-propyldihydropyran, tert-butyldihydropyran,trifluoromethyldihydropyran, methoxydihydropyran, ethyoxydihydropyran,aminodihydropyran, N-methyl-aminodihydropyran,N,N-dimethyl-aminodihydropyran, nitrodihydropyran, cyanodihydropyran,methylpiperidine, ethylpiperidine, iso-propylpiperidine,tert-butylpiperidine, trifluoromethylpiperidine, methoxypiperidine,ethyoxypiperidine, aminopiperidine, N-methyl-aminopiperidine,N,N-dimethyl-aminopiperidine, nitropiperidine, cyanopiperidine,methylpiperazine, ethylpiperazine, iso-propylpiperazine,tert-butylpiperazine, trifluoromethylpiperazine, methoxypiperazine,ethyoxypiperazine, aminopiperazine, N-methyl-aminopiperazine,N,N-dimethyl-aminopiperazine, nitropiperazine, cyanopiperazine,methylmorpholine, ethylmorpholine, iso-propylmorpholine,tert-butylmorpholine, trifluoromethylmorpholine, methoxymorpholine,ethyoxymorpholine, aminomorpholine, N-methyl-aminomorpholine,N,N-dimethyl-aminomorpholine, nitromorpholine or cyanomorpholine.

Het² may be unsubstituted pyridine, unsubstituted thiazole,unsubstituted triazole, unsubstituted pyrazole, unsubstitutedisothiazole, unsubstituted pyrimidine, unsubstituted isoxazole,unsubstituted pyridazine, unsubstituted tetrahydropyridine,unsubstituted tetrahydropyran, unsubstituted dihydropyran,methylpyridine, difluoromethylpyridine, trifluoromethylpyridine,fluoropyridine, chloropyridine, methoxypyridine, aminopyridine,N,N-dimethyl-aminopyridine, cyanopyridine, methylthiazole,methyltriazole, methylpyrazole, iso-propylpyrazole, cyclopropylpyrazole,cyclopentylpyrazole, methyl(trifluoromethyl)pyrazole, methylisothiazole,methylpyrimidine, trifluoromethylpyrimidine, chloropyrimidine,N,N-dimethyl-amino(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidine, dimethylisoxazole,methylpyridazine, chloropyridazine,tert-butyloxycarbonyl-tetrahydropyridine, dimethyltetrahydropyran, ordimethyldihydropyran. Preferably, het² is trifluoropyridine.

Het² may be pyridyl. Het² may be substituted or unsubstituted pyridyl.Preferably, Het² is substituted or unsubstituted 4-pyridyl. 4-Pyridylrefers to a pyridine group which is attached to Het¹ at the fourposition of pyridine. The 1-position of pyridine is the nitrogen atom aswould be readily understood by the skilled person. For example,4-pyridyl, which may be substituted, is:

Optionally, het² is pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl orpiperidinyl substituted with 1 group selected from: —NR^(A1)R^(B1), —CNand —C(O)NR^(A1)R^(B1). Optionally, het² is substituted meta or para tohet¹.

Optionally, het² is not pyridyl.

In an embodiment the compound is a compound of the invention with theproviso that het² is not pyridyl.

In an embodiment the compound is a compound of the invention with theproviso that het² is not pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl orpiperidinyl substituted to het¹ with 1 group selected from:—NR^(A1)R^(B1), —CN, —C(O)NR^(A1)R^(B1). Optionally, het² is notpyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl or piperidinyl substitutedmeta or para to het¹ with 1 group selected from: —NR^(A1)R^(B1), —CN,—C(O)NR^(A1)R^(B1).

In an embodiment het² is a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic ring which maybe unsubstituted or substituted, and when substituted the ring issubstituted with 1, 2 or 3 groups selected from: halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄haloalkyl, —OR^(A1), —NO₂, —NR^(A1)C(O)R^(B1), —NR^(A1)SO₂R^(B1),—SO₂NR^(A1)R^(B1), —SO₂R^(A1), —C(O)R^(A1), —C(O)OR^(A1) and C₃₋₆cycloalkyl;

provided that het² is not pyridyl.

Het³ may be a 6 membered heterocyclic ring which is unsubstituted orsubstituted, and when substituted the ring is substituted with 1, 2 or 3groups independently selected at each occurrence from: halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl,C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A1), —NR^(A1)R^(B1), —CN, —NO₂, —NR^(A1)C(O)R^(B1),—C(O)NR^(A1)R^(B1), —NR^(A1)SO₂R^(B1), —SO₂NR^(A1)R^(B1), —SO₂R^(A1),—C(O)R^(A1), —C(O)OR^(A1) and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl.

Het³ may be a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic ring or a phenyl ring whichare unsubstituted or substituted, and when substituted the ring issubstituted with 1, 2 or 3 groups independently selected at eachoccurrence from: halo, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A1), —NR^(A1)R^(B1), —CN,—NO₂, —NR^(A1)C(O)R^(B1), —C(O)NR^(A1)R^(B1), —NR^(A1)SO₂R^(B1),—SO₂NR^(A1)R^(B1), —SO₂R^(A1), —C(O)R^(A1), —C(O)OR^(A1) and C₃₋₆cycloalkyl;

Het³ may be represented by an aromatic, saturated or unsaturated 6membered heterocyclic ring which is unsubstituted or substituted andcomprises at least one nitrogen atom, preferably the ring is aromatic orsaturated.

Het³ may be represented by an aromatic, saturated or unsaturated 5 or 6membered heterocyclic ring or a phenyl ring which are unsubstituted orsubstituted and comprises at least one nitrogen atom. The heterocyclicring may optionally be an aromatic or saturated ring. The heterocyclicring may optionally be an aromatic or unsaturated ring. Preferably, theheterocyclic ring is an aromatic ring.

Het³ may be represented by an aromatic, saturated or unsaturated 6membered heterocyclic ring which is unsubstituted or substituted andcomprises 2 heteroatoms, preferably the ring is aromatic or saturated.In a preferred embodiment het³ is represented by an aromatic, saturatedor unsaturated 6 membered heterocyclic ring which is unsubstituted orsubstituted and comprises 2 nitrogen atoms, preferably the ring isaromatic or saturated.

Het³ may be represented by a ring selected from unsubstituted orsubstituted: an aromatic, saturated or unsaturated 6 memberedheterocyclic ring which comprises 1 or 2 heteroatoms (optionally Natoms), preferably the ring is aromatic or saturated; a 5 memberedheteroaryl ring; and a phenyl ring. Preferably Het³ is an unsubstitutedor substituted aromatic 6 membered heterocyclic ring

Het³ may be represented by a ring selected from unsubstituted orsubstituted: pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine, piperazine, dioxine,dioxane, morpholine and thiomorpholine. Alternatively, het³ may berepresented by a ring selected from unsubstituted or substituted:phenyl, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, dihydropyran, andpiperazine. Optionally, het³ may be represented by a ring selected fromunsubstituted or substituted: pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine,dihydropyran, and piperazine.

Preferably, het³ may be represented by a ring selected from pyrimidine,pyrazine, pyridazine or piperazine. Preferably, het³ may be representedby a ring selected from phenyl, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrimidine,pyrazine, pyridazine or piperazine.

Preferably, het³ may be represented by a ring selected from pyrimidine,pyrazine or pyridazine.

Optionally, het³ is represented by a ring selected from unsubstituted orsubstituted: pyrimidine and pyrazine. Particularly preferred is for het³to be pyrazine.

Optionally, het³ is as disclosed elsewhere herein with the proviso thathet³ is not a ring selected from: alkyl substituted pyridine,unsubstituted imidazole, alkyl substituted imidazole, unsubstitutedoxadiazole, alkyl substituted oxazole, unsubstituted oxazole,Optionally, het³ is as disclosed elsewhere herein with the proviso thathet³ is not a ring selected from: unsubstituted oxazole, unsubstitutedmorpholine or methyl piperazine. Optionally, het³ is as disclosedelsewhere herein with the proviso that het³ is not a ring selected from:alkyl substituted pyridine, unsubstituted imidazole, alkyl substitutedimidazole, unsubstituted oxadiazole, alkyl substituted oxazole,unsubstituted oxazole, unsubstituted morpholine or methyl piperazine.

Het³ may be unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups selectedfrom: halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A1), —NR^(A1)R^(B1), —CN,—C(O)R^(A1), —C(O)OR^(A1), —NR^(A1)C(O)R^(B2), and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl. Het³may be unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups selectedfrom: halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A1), —C(O)R^(A1) and—C(O)OR^(A1), wherein R^(A1) is H, methyl, tert-butyl ortrifluoromethyl. Preferably, het³ may be unsubstituted or substitutedwith 1, 2, or 3 groups selected from: C₁₋₄ alkyl, —OR^(A1),—NR^(A1)R^(B1), —CN, or —NR^(A1)C(O)R^(B1), wherein R^(A1) is H, methyl,tert-butyl or trifluoromethyl (preferably methyl) and R^(B1) is H,methyl, tert-butyl or trifluoromethyl (preferably H or methyl).

In a particular preferred embodiment het³ is unsubstituted orsubstituted with 1 or 2 groups selected from: fluoro, chloro, methyl,ethyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, —OCF₃, —C(O)Me, —C(O)OMe,—C(O)Et and —C(O)O^(t)Bu.

In a particular preferred embodiment het³ is unsubstituted orsubstituted with 1 or 2 groups selected from: methyl, —OMe, —CN, —NMe₂,or —NHC(O)Me.

Preferably, het³ is unsubstituted or substituted with 1 or 2 groups.More preferably, het³ is unsubstituted or substituted with 1 group.

In an embodiment het² is represented by an aromatic, saturated orunsaturated 6 membered heterocyclic ring which is unsubstituted orsubstituted, (optionally wherein het² is not represented by pyridine)and het³ is represented by an aromatic, saturated or unsaturated 6membered heterocyclic ring which is unsubstituted or substituted andcomprises 2 heteroatoms.

In an embodiment het² is represented by a 5 or 6 memberedheterocycloalkenyl or heteroaryl ring which is unsubstituted orsubstituted, (optionally wherein het² is not represented by pyridine)and het³ is represented by an aromatic, saturated or unsaturated 5 or 6membered heterocyclic ring comprising 1 or 2 heteroatoms or a phenylring which are unsubstituted or substituted.

In an embodiment het² is represented by a ring selected fromunsubstituted or substituted: pyridine, pyrazole, imidazole, pyrazine,pyrimidine, pyridazine, pyran, tetrahydropyran, dihydropyran,piperidine, piperazine, morpholine, thiomorpholine, oxazine, dioxine,dioxane, thiazine, oxathiane and dithiane (optionally pyrazole,imidazole, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, pyran, tetrahydropyran,dihydropyran, piperidine, piperazine, morpholine, thiomorpholine,oxazine, dioxine, dioxane, thiazine, oxathiane and dithiane); and het³is represented by a ring selected from unsubstituted or substituted:pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine, piperazine, dioxine, dioxane,morpholine and thiomorpholine.

In an embodiment het² is represented by a ring selected fromunsubstituted or substituted: pyridine, pyrazole, imidazole, pyrazine,pyrimidine, pyridazine, thiazole, isothiazole, triazole, oxazole,isoxazole, dihydropyridine, tetrahydropyridine, pyran, tetrahydropyran,dihydropyran, piperidine, piperazine, morpholine, thiomorpholine,oxazine, dioxine, dioxane, thiazine, oxathiane and dithiane (optionallypyrazole, imidazole, pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, thiazole,isothiazole, triazole, isoxazole, tetrahydropyridine, tetrahydropyranand dihydropyran); and het³ is represented by a ring selected fromunsubstituted or substituted: phenyl, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrimidine,pyrazine, dihydropyran, and piperazine.

Preferably, het² is represented by a ring selected from unsubstituted orsubstituted: pyridine, pyrazole, imidazole, tetrahydropyran,dihydropyran, piperidine, piperazine and morpholine (optionallypyrazole, imidazole, tetrahydropyran, dihydropyran, piperidine,piperazine and morpholine); and het³ is represented by a ring selectedfrom unsubstituted or substituted: pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine andpiperazine.

Preferably, het² is represented by a ring selected from unsubstituted orsubstituted: pyrazole, imidazole, pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine,thiazole, isothiazole, triazole, isoxazole, tetrahydropyridine,tetrahydropyran and dihydropyran (optionally pyridine, pyrazole,tetrahydropyran and dihydropyran); and het³ is represented by a ringselected from unsubstituted or substituted: phenyl, pyrazole, pyridine,pyrimidine, pyrazine, dihydropyran, and piperazine.

Het¹ may represent a 5 membered heterocyclic ring system comprising 1, 2or 3 (optionally 1 or 2) N or S atoms and being unsubstituted orsubstituted, and when substituted the ring system is substituted with 1,2, or 3 groups independently selected at each occurrence from: halo,C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A2), —NR^(A2)R^(B2), —CN, —SO₂R^(A2),and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl.

Het¹ may represent a 5 membered heterocyclic ring system comprising 1, 2or 3 (optionally 1 or 2) N atoms and being unsubstituted or substituted,and when substituted the ring system is substituted with 1, 2, or 3groups independently selected at each occurrence from: halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl,C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A2), —NR^(A2)R^(B2), —CN, —SO₂R^(A2), and C₃₋₆cycloalkyl.

Het¹ may represent a 5 membered heterocyclic ring system comprising 1, 2or 3 (optionally 1 or 2) heteroatoms selected from N, O or S and beingunsubstituted or substituted, and when substituted the ring system issubstituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected at eachoccurrence from: halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A2),—NR^(A2)R^(B2), —CN, —SO₂R², and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl;

provided that the 5 membered heterocyclic ring system of het¹ does notrepresent pyrrole, pyrazole, imidazole and triazole.

Het¹ may represent a 5 membered heterocyclic ring system comprising 1, 2or 3 heteroatoms (optionally 1 or 2) selected from N, O or S, whereinwhen the 5 membered heterocyclic ring comprises 1 or 2 N atoms it alsocomprises at least one atom selected from O or S.

In an embodiment the compound is a compound of the invention with theproviso that het² is not pyridyl; and

het¹ is represented by a 5 membered heterocyclic ring system comprising1, 2 or 3 (optionally 1 or 2) N atoms and being unsubstituted orsubstituted, and when substituted the ring system is substituted with 1,2, or 3 groups independently selected at each occurrence from: halo,C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A2), —NR^(A2)R^(B2), —CN, —SO₂R^(A2),and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl.

In an embodiment the compound is a compound of the invention with theproviso that het² is not pyridyl; and

het¹ may represent a 5 membered heterocyclic ring system comprising 1, 2or 3 (optionally 1 or 2) heteroatoms selected from N, O or S and beingunsubstituted or substituted, and when substituted the ring system issubstituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected at eachoccurrence from: halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A2),—NR^(A2)R^(B2), —CN, —SO₂R^(A2), and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl;provided that the 5 membered heterocyclic ring system of het¹ does notrepresent pyrrole, pyrazole, imidazole and triazole.

In an embodiment het¹ represents a 5 membered heterocyclic ring systemcomprising 1, 2 or 3 (optionally 1 or 2) N atoms and being unsubstitutedor substituted, and when substituted the ring system is substituted with1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected at each occurrence from: halo,C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A2), —NR^(A2)R^(B2), —CN, —SO₂R^(A2),and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl; and

het² is a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic ring which may be unsubstitutedor substituted, and when substituted the ring is substituted with 1, 2or 3 groups selected from: halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A1),—NO₂, —NR^(A1)C(O)R^(B1), —NR^(A1)SO₂R^(B1), —SO₂NR^(A1)R^(B1),—SO₂R^(A1), —C(O)R^(A1), —C(O)OR^(A1) and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl;provided that het² is not pyridyl.

In an embodiment het¹ represents a 5 membered heterocyclic ring systemcomprising 1, 2 or 3 (optionally 1 or 2) heteroatoms selected from N, Oor S and being unsubstituted or substituted, and when substituted thering system is substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selectedat each occurrence from: halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A2),—NR^(A2)R^(B2), —CN, —SO₂R^(A2), and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl;

provided that the 5 membered heterocyclic ring system of het¹ does notrepresent pyrrole, pyrazole, imidazole and triazole; andhet² is a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic ring which may be unsubstitutedor substituted, and when substituted the ring is substituted with 1, 2or 3 groups selected from: halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A1),—NO₂, —NR^(A1)C(O)R^(B1), —NR^(A1)SO₂R^(B1), —SO₂NR^(A1)R^(B1),—SO₂R^(A1), —C(O)R^(A1), —C(O)OR^(A1) and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl;provided that het² is not pyridyl.

Het¹ may represent a substituted or unsubstituted: 5-membered heteroarylgroup comprising 1, 2 or 3 (optionally 1 or 2) heteroatoms selected fromN, O or S.

Het¹ may represent a group selected from unsubstituted or substituted:pyrazole, imidazole, oxazole, thiazole, isoxazole, isothiazole,thiophene, furan, triazole, oxadiazole and thiadiazole.

Het¹ may represent a group selected from unsubstituted or substituted:pyrazole, imidazole, and triazole.

Het¹ may represent a group selected from unsubstituted or substituted:oxazole, thiazole, isoxazole, isothiazole, thiophene, furan, oxadiazoleand thiadiazole.

Optionally, het¹ represents an unsubstituted or substituted: imidazole,pyrazole or thiophene.

Het¹ has a bond to het² and to —(CR¹R²)_(m)C(O)NR³— and het² and—(CR¹R²)_(m)C(O)NR³— are bonded to non-adjacent atoms of het¹. In anembodiment het² and —(CR¹R²)_(m)C(O)NR³— are bonded to atoms of het¹ andthe atoms have at least one atom between them. For example in anembodiment het² and —(CR¹R²)_(m)C(O)NR³— have a 1,3 relationship onhet¹. Het² and —(CR¹R²)_(m)C(O)NR³— may not have a 1,2 relationship onhet¹.

In an embodiment het² and —(CR¹R²)_(m)C(O)NR³— may be substituted onhet¹ at ring positions selected from: 1,3; 2,4; 3,5; 1,4; and 2,5.

In an embodiment the compound according to formula (I) is a compoundaccording to formula (III):

whereinX¹ and X² are selected from CR⁸ and N; andR⁵ and R⁶ are, at each occurrence, independently selected from: H, halo,C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A2), —NR^(A2)R^(B2), —CN, —SO₂R^(A2),and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl.

Preferably, one of X¹ and X² is CR⁶ and the other is N. In anembodiment, X¹ is CR⁶ and X² is N. Preferably, X¹ is N and X² is CR⁶.

In an embodiment R⁵ and R⁶ are, at each occurrence, independentlyselected from: H or C₁₋₄ alkyl (preferably methyl). Therefore, X¹ may beCH or CMe and X² is N, or X¹ is N and X² is CH or CMe. In embodiments,X¹ is CH, X² is N, and R⁵ is H; or X¹ is CMe, X² is N, and R⁵ is H; X¹is CH, X² is N, and R⁵ is Me; or X¹ is CMe, X² is N, and R⁵ is Me; or X¹is N and X² is CH, and R⁵ is H; or X¹ is N and X² is CMe, and R⁵ is H;or X¹ is N and X² is CH, and R⁵ is Me; or X¹ is N and X² is CMe, and R⁵is Me.

Preferably, X¹ is N and X² is CH, and R⁵ is Me.

Het¹ may be unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups(preferably 1 or 2) selected from: halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl,—OR^(A2), —NR^(A2)R^(B2) and —CN. Het¹ may be unsubstituted orsubstituted with 1 or 2 groups selected from: chloro, fluoro, methyl,ethyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, —OCF₃, —OH, —OMe, —OEt, —NH₂,—NHMe, —NMe₂ and —CN. Preferably, Het¹ may be unsubstituted orsubstituted with 1 or 2 methyl groups.

In an embodiment the compound according to formula (I) is a compoundaccording to formula (IIIa):

whereinR⁷ is, at each occurrence, independently selected from: halo, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A1), —NR^(A1), —CN, —NO₂,—NR^(A1)C(O)R^(B1), —C(O)NR^(A1)R^(B1), —NR^(A1) SO₂R^(B1),—SO₂NR^(A1)R^(B1), —SO₂R^(A1), —C(O)R^(A1), —C(O)OR^(A1) and C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, ando is 0, 1, 2 or 3 (optionally 0, 1 or 2, preferably 0 or 1).

In an embodiment the compound according to formula (I) is a compoundaccording to formula (IIIb):

R⁷ may be independently selected from: halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl,—OR^(A1), —NO₂, —NR^(A1)C(O)R^(B1), —NR^(A1)SO₂R^(B1),—SO₂NR^(A1)R^(B1), —SO₂R^(A1), —C(O)R^(A1), —C(O)OR^(A1) and C₃₋₆cycloalkyl

R⁷ may be independently selected from: halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl,—OR^(A1), —NR^(A1)R^(B1), —CN, —C(O)OR^(A1) and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl.Preferably, R⁷ may be independently selected from: halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl,—OR^(A1), and C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, wherein R^(A1) is H, methyl, ortrifluoromethyl.

R⁷ may be independently selected from: halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl,—OR^(A1), —NR^(A1)R^(B1), —CN and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl. Preferably, R⁷ may beindependently selected from: halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, —OR^(A1), and C₁₋₄haloalkyl, wherein R^(A1) is H, methyl, or trifluoromethyl.

In a preferred embodiment R⁷ may be independently selected from: fluoro,chloro, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, difluormethyl, trifluoromethyl,trifluoroethyl, cyclopentyl, cyclopropyl, —NH₂, —NMe₂, —CN,—C(O)O^(t)Bu, —OMe and —OCF₃.

In a particularly preferred embodiment R⁷ may be independently selectedfrom: fluoro, methyl, trifluoromethyl and —CN.

In a particular preferred embodiment R⁷ may be independently selectedfrom: fluoro, chloro, methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl,and —OCF₃.

In an embodiment het¹ represents a group selected from unsubstituted orsubstituted: pyrazole, imidazole, oxazole, thiazole, isoxazole,isothiazole, triazole, oxadiazole, and thiadiazole; het² is representedby an aromatic, saturated or unsaturated 6 membered heterocyclic ringwhich is unsubstituted or substituted; and het³ is represented by anaromatic, saturated or unsaturated 6 membered heterocyclic ring which isunsubstituted or substituted and comprises 2 heteroatoms.

In an embodiment het¹ represents a group selected from unsubstituted orsubstituted: pyrazole, imidazole, oxazole, thiazole, isoxazole,isothiazole, triazole, oxadiazole, and thiadiazole; het² is representedby a 5 or 6 membered heterocycloalkenyl or heteroaryl ring which isunsubstituted or substituted, (optionally wherein het² is notrepresented by pyridine) and het³ is represented by an aromatic,saturated or unsaturated 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic ring comprising 1or 2 heteroatoms or a phenyl ring which are unsubstituted orsubstituted.

In an embodiment het¹ represents a group selected from unsubstituted orsubstituted: pyrazole, imidazole, oxazole, thiazole, isoxazole,isothiazole, triazole, oxadiazole, and thiadiazole; het² is representedby a ring selected from unsubstituted or substituted: pyrazole,imidazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, pyran,tetrahydropyran, dihydropyran, piperidine, piperazine, morpholine,thiomorpholine, oxazine, dioxine, dioxane, thiazine, oxathiane anddithiane; het² is represented by unsubstituted or substituted pyridine;and het³ is represented by a ring selected from unsubstituted orsubstituted: pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine, piperazine, dioxine,dioxane, morpholine and thiomorpholine.

In an embodiment het¹ represents a group selected from unsubstituted orsubstituted: pyrazole, imidazole, oxazole, thiazole, isoxazole,isothiazole, triazole, oxadiazole, and thiadiazole; het² is representedby a ring selected from unsubstituted or substituted: pyridine,pyrazole, imidazole, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, thiazole,isothiazole, triazole, oxazole, isoxazole, dihydropyridine,tetrahydropyridine, pyran, tetrahydropyran, dihydropyran, piperidine,piperazine, morpholine, thiomorpholine, oxazine, dioxine, dioxane,thiazine, oxathiane and dithiane (optionally pyrazole, imidazole,pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, thiazole, isothiazole, triazole,isoxazole, tetrahydropyridine, tetrahydropyran and dihydropyran); andhet³ is represented by a ring selected from unsubstituted orsubstituted: phenyl, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine,dihydropyran, and piperazine.

Optionally, het¹ represents a group selected from unsubstituted orsubstituted: pyrazole, imidazole, oxazole, thiazole, isoxazole,isothiazole, triazole, oxadiazole, and thiadiazole; het² is representedby a ring selected from unsubstituted or substituted: pyrazole,imidazole, pyridine, tetrahydropyran, dihydropyran, piperidine,piperazine and morpholine; and het³ is represented by a ring selectedfrom unsubstituted or substituted: pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine andpiperazine.

Optionally, het¹ represents a group selected from unsubstituted orsubstituted: pyrazole, imidazole, oxazole, thiazole, isoxazole,isothiazole, triazole, oxadiazole, and thiadiazole; het² is representedby a ring selected from unsubstituted or substituted: pyrazole,imidazole, pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, thiazole, isothiazole,triazole, isoxazole, tetrahydropyridine, tetrahydropyran anddihydropyran (optionally pyridine, pyrazole, tetrahydropyran anddihydropyran); and het³ is represented by a ring selected fromunsubstituted or substituted: phenyl, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrimidine,pyrazine, dihydropyran, and piperazine.

In an embodiment m is 1 or 2. In a preferred embodiment m is 1.

In an embodiment the compound according to formula (I) is a compoundaccording to formula (IV):

In an embodiment the compound according to formula (I) is a compoundaccording to formulae (IVa) or (IVb):

In an embodiment the compound according to formula (I) is a compoundaccording to formula (V):

In an embodiment the compound according to formula (I) is a compoundaccording to formulae (Va) and (Vb):

In an embodiment the compound according to formula (I) is a compoundaccording to formula (Vc):

In an embodiment het¹ represents an unsubstituted or substitutedpyrazole or X¹ is CR⁶ and X² is N; het² is represented by an aromatic,saturated or unsaturated 6 membered heterocyclic ring which isunsubstituted or substituted, and het³ is represented by an aromatic,saturated or unsaturated 6 membered heterocyclic ring which isunsubstituted or substituted and comprises 2 heteroatoms.

In an embodiment het¹ represents an unsubstituted or substitutedpyrazole or X¹ is CR⁶ and X² is N; het² is represented by a 5 or 6membered heterocycloalkenyl or heteroaryl ring which is unsubstituted orsubstituted, (optionally wherein het² is not represented by pyridine)and het³ is represented by an aromatic, saturated or unsaturated 6membered heterocyclic ring which is unsubstituted or substituted andcomprises 2 heteroatoms.

In an embodiment het¹ represents an unsubstituted or substitutedpyrazole or X¹ is CR⁶ and X² is N; het² is represented by a ringselected from unsubstituted or substituted: pyrazole, imidazole,pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, pyran, tetrahydropyran,dihydropyran, piperidine, piperazine, morpholine, thiomorpholine,oxazine, dioxine, dioxane, thiazine, oxathiane and dithiane; and het³ isrepresented by a ring selected from unsubstituted or substituted:pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine, piperazine, dioxine, dioxane,morpholine and thiomorpholine.

In an embodiment het¹ represents an unsubstituted or substitutedpyrazole or X¹ is CR⁶ and X² is N; het² is represented by a ringselected from unsubstituted or substituted: pyrazole, imidazole,pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, thiazole, isothiazole, triazole,isoxazole, tetrahydropyridine, tetrahydropyran and dihydropyran(optionally pyridine, pyrazole, tetrahydropyran and dihydropyran); andhet³ is represented by a ring selected from unsubstituted orsubstituted: pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine, piperazine, dioxine,dioxane, morpholine and thiomorpholine.

Optionally, het¹ represents an unsubstituted or substituted pyrazole orX¹ is CR⁶ and X² is N; het² is represented by a ring selected fromunsubstituted or substituted: pyrazole, imidazole, pyridine,tetrahydropyran, dihydropyran, piperidine, piperazine and morpholine;and het³ is represented by a ring selected from unsubstituted orsubstituted: pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine and piperazine.

Optionally, het¹ represents an unsubstituted or substituted pyrazole orX¹ is CR⁶ and X² is N; het² is represented by a ring selected fromunsubstituted or substituted: pyrazole, imidazole, pyridine, pyridazine,pyrimidine, thiazole, isothiazole, triazole, isoxazole,tetrahydropyridine, tetrahydropyran and dihydropyran (optionallypyridine, pyrazole, tetrahydropyran and dihydropyran); and het³ isrepresented by a ring selected from unsubstituted or substituted:phenyl, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, dihydropyran, andpiperazine.

In an embodiment het¹ represents an unsubstituted or substitutedimidazole or X¹ is N and X² is CR⁶; het² is represented by an aromatic,saturated or unsaturated 6 membered heterocyclic ring which isunsubstituted or substituted, and het³ is represented by an aromatic,saturated or unsaturated 6 membered heterocyclic ring which isunsubstituted or substituted and comprises 2 heteroatoms.

In an embodiment het¹ represents an unsubstituted or substitutedimidazole or X¹ is N and X² is CR⁶; het² is represented by a 5 or 6membered heterocycloalkenyl or heteroaryl ring which is unsubstituted orsubstituted, (optionally wherein het² is not represented by pyridine)and het³ is represented by an aromatic, saturated or unsaturated 6membered heterocyclic ring which is unsubstituted or substituted andcomprises 2 heteroatoms.

In an embodiment het¹ represents an unsubstituted or substitutedimidazole or X¹ is N and X² is CR⁶; het² is represented by a ringselected from unsubstituted or substituted: pyrazole, imidazole,pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, pyran, tetrahydropyran,dihydropyran, piperidine, piperazine, morpholine, thiomorpholine,oxazine, dioxine, dioxane, thiazine, oxathiane and dithiane; and het³ isrepresented by a ring selected from unsubstituted or substituted:pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine, piperazine, dioxine, dioxane,morpholine and thiomorpholine.

In an embodiment het¹ represents an unsubstituted or substitutedimidazole or X¹ is N and X² is CR⁶; het² is represented by a ringselected from unsubstituted or substituted: pyrazole, imidazole,pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, thiazole, isothiazole, triazole,isoxazole, tetrahydropyridine, tetrahydropyran and dihydropyran(optionally pyridine, pyrazole, tetrahydropyran and dihydropyran); andhet³ is represented by a ring selected from unsubstituted orsubstituted: pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine, piperazine, dioxine,dioxane, morpholine and thiomorpholine.

Optionally, het¹ represents an unsubstituted or substituted imidazole;het² is represented by a ring selected from unsubstituted orsubstituted: pyrazole, imidazole, pyridine, tetrahydropyran,dihydropyran, piperidine, piperazine and morpholine; and het³ isrepresented by a ring selected from unsubstituted or substituted:pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine and piperazine.

Optionally, het¹ represents an unsubstituted or substituted imidazole orX¹ is CR⁶ and X² is N; het² is represented by a ring selected fromunsubstituted or substituted: pyrazole, imidazole, pyridine, pyridazine,pyrimidine, thiazole, isothiazole, triazole, isoxazole,tetrahydropyridine, tetrahydropyran and dihydropyran (optionallypyridine, pyrazole, tetrahydropyran and dihydropyran); and het³ isrepresented by a ring selected from unsubstituted or substituted:phenyl, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, dihydropyran, andpiperazine.

In an embodiment het¹ represents an unsubstituted or substitutedthiophene; het² is represented by an aromatic, saturated or unsaturated6 membered heterocyclic ring which is unsubstituted or substituted, andhet³ is represented by an aromatic, saturated or unsaturated 6 memberedheterocyclic ring which is unsubstituted or substituted and comprises 2heteroatoms.

In an embodiment het¹ represents an unsubstituted or substitutedthiophene; het² is represented by a 5 or 6 membered heterocycloalkenylor heteroaryl ring which is unsubstituted or substituted, (optionallywherein het² is not represented by pyridine) and het³ is represented byan aromatic, saturated or unsaturated 6 membered heterocyclic ring whichis unsubstituted or substituted and comprises 2 heteroatoms.

In an embodiment het¹ represents an unsubstituted or substitutedthiophene; het² is represented by a ring selected from unsubstituted orsubstituted: pyrazole, imidazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine,pyridazine, pyran, tetrahydropyran, dihydropyran, piperidine,piperazine, morpholine, thiomorpholine, oxazine, dioxine, dioxane,thiazine, oxathiane and dithiane; and het³ is represented by a ringselected from unsubstituted or substituted: pyrimidine, pyrazine,pyridazine, piperazine, dioxine, dioxane, morpholine and thiomorpholine.

In an embodiment het¹ represents an unsubstituted or substitutedthiophene; represented by a ring selected from unsubstituted orsubstituted: pyrazole, imidazole, pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine,thiazole, isothiazole, triazole, isoxazole, tetrahydropyridine,tetrahydropyran and dihydropyran (optionally pyridine, pyrazole,tetrahydropyran and dihydropyran); and het³ is represented by a ringselected from unsubstituted or substituted: pyrimidine, pyrazine,pyridazine, piperazine, dioxine, dioxane, morpholine and thiomorpholine.

Optionally, het¹ represents an unsubstituted or substituted thiophene;het² is represented by a ring selected from unsubstituted orsubstituted: pyrazole, imidazole, pyridine, tetrahydropyran,dihydropyran, piperidine, piperazine and morpholine; and het³ isrepresented by a ring selected from unsubstituted or substituted:pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine and piperazine.

Optionally, het¹ represents an unsubstituted or substituted thiophene;het² is represented by a ring selected from unsubstituted orsubstituted: pyrazole, imidazole, pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine,thiazole, isothiazole, triazole, isoxazole, tetrahydropyridine,tetrahydropyran and dihydropyran (optionally pyridine, pyrazole,tetrahydropyran and dihydropyran); and het³ is represented by a ringselected from unsubstituted or substituted: phenyl, pyrazole, pyridine,pyrimidine, pyrazine, dihydropyran, and piperazine.

In a preferred embodiment het¹ represents an unsubstituted orsubstituted: imidazole, pyrazole or thiophene; het² is represented by anunsubstituted or substituted pyridine; and het³ is represented by a ringselected from unsubstituted or substituted: pyrimidine, and pyrazine.

R¹ and R² may be independently selected at each occurrence from: H,halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A3) and —NR^(A3)R^(B3). R¹ and R²may be independently selected at each occurrence from: H, chloro,fluoro, methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, —OCF₃, —OH,—OMe, —OEt, —NH₂, —NHMe, and —NMe₂. Preferably, R¹ and R² are H.

In an embodiment m is 1 and R¹ and R² are H. In an alternativeembodiment m is 2 and R¹ and R² are H. In an alternative embodiment m is1 and R¹ is Me R² are H.

R³ is optionally H or methyl.

R⁴ is optionally selected at each occurrence from: halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl,C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —CN, —OR^(A4) and —NR^(A4)R^(B4). R^(A4) may beindependently selected at each occurrence from: H, chloro, fluoro,methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, —OCF₃, —OH, —OMe, —OEt,—NH₂, —NHMe, and —NMe₂.

R^(A1), R^(B1), R^(A2), R^(B2), R^(A3), R^(B3), R^(A4) and R^(B4) are ateach occurrence independently selected from: H, methyl, ethyl and —OCF₃.

In a preferred embodiment n is 0.

In a preferred embodiment the compounds of the invention are selectedfrom compounds of formulae (IIa), (IIIb), (IVa), (Va) or (Vc).

The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable salts ofcompounds of the invention. Accordingly, there are provided compounds offormula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

The compound according to the invention may be selected from a groupconsisting of:

The compound according to the invention may also be selected from agroup consisting of:

In an embodiment the compounds of the invention are not

In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides acompound of the present invention for use as a medicament.

In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides apharmaceutical formulation comprising a compound of the presentinvention and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

In an embodiment the pharmaceutical composition may be a combinationproduct comprising an additional pharmaceutically active agent. Theadditional pharmaceutically active agent may be an anti-tumor agentdescribed below.

In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a compound of thepresent invention for use in the modulation of Wnt signalling.Optionally, the Wnt signalling is modulated by the inhibition ofporcupine (Porcn). Modulation of Wnt signalling may include inhibitionof paracrine signalling in the tissues surrounding tumours and autocrineand paracrine signalling in cancer cells

In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a compound of thepresent invention for use in the treatment of a condition which can bemodulated by inhibition of Porcn using a compound of the presentinvention. A compound of formula (I) may be for use in the treatment ofa condition treatable by the inhibition of Porcn.

Porcn inhibition is relevant for the treatment of many differentdiseases associated with increased Wnt signalling. In embodiments thecondition treatable by the inhibition of Porcn may be selected from:cancer, sarcoma, melanoma, skin cancer, haematological tumors, lymphoma,carcinoma, and leukemia. Specific cancers, sarcomas, melanomas, skincancers, haematological tumors, lymphoma, carcinoma and leukemiatreatable by the modulation of Wnt signalling or the inhibition of Porcnmay be selected from: esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, gastriccancer, glioblastomas, astrocytomas; retinoblastoma, osteosarcoma,chondosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, rabdomysarcoma, Wilm's tumor, basal cellcarcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, brain tumour, hormone refractoryprostate cancer, prostate cancer, metastatic breast cancer, breastcancer, metastatic pancreatic cancer, pancreatic cancer, colorectalcancer, cervical cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma andcancer of the head and neck.

Porcn inhibition is also relevant for the treatment of a conditiontreatable by the inhibition of Wnt ligand secretion selected from: skinfibrosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, renal interstitial fibrosis,liver fibrosis, proteinuria, kidney graft rejection, osteoarthritis,Parkinsons's disease, cystoid macular edema, uveitis associated cystoidmacular edema, retinopathy, diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy ofprematurity.

The invention contemplates methods of treating the above mentionedconditions and contemplates compounds of the invention for use in amethod of treatment of the above mentioned conditions.

In an aspect of the invention, a compound of the invention may be foruse in the treatment of a condition selected from: cancer, sarcoma,melanoma, skin cancer, haematological tumors, lymphoma, carcinoma, andleukemia. Specific cancer, sarcoma, melanoma, skin cancer,haematological tumors, lymphoma, carcinoma, and leukemia that may betreated by the compound of the invention may be selected from:esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, gastric cancer, glioblastomas,astrocytomas; retinoblastoma, osteosarcoma, chondosarcoma, Ewing'ssarcoma, rabdomysarcoma, Wilm's tumor, basal cell carcinoma, non-smallcell lung cancer, brain tumour, hormone refractory prostate cancer,prostate cancer, metastatic breast cancer, breast cancer, metastaticpancreatic cancer, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, cervicalcancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and cancer of the head andneck.

The compound of the invention also may be for use in the treatment of acondition selected from: skin fibrosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis,renal interstitial fibrosis, liver fibrosis, proteinuria, kidney graftrejection, osteoarthritis, Parkinsons's disease, cystoid macular edema,uveitis associated cystoid macular edema, retinopathy, diabeticretinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity.

In an aspect of the invention there is provided a method of treatment ofa condition which is modulated by Wnt signalling, wherein the methodcomprises administering a therapeutic amount of a compound of theinvention, to a patient in need thereof. In an embodiment of theinvention there is provided a method of treatment of a condition whichis modulated by Porcn.

The method of treatment may be a method of treating a conditiontreatable by the modulation of Wnt signalling or Porcn. These conditionsare described above in relation to conditions treatable by theinhibition of Porcn.

In an aspect of the invention there is provided a method of treatment ofa condition selected from: cancer, sarcoma, melanoma, skin cancer,haematological tumors, lymphoma, carcinoma, and leukemia, wherein themethod comprises administering a therapeutic amount of a compound of theinvention, to a patient in need thereof. Specific cancer, sarcoma,melanoma, skin cancer, haematological tumors, lymphoma, carcinoma, andleukemia that may be treated by the method of treatment may be selectedfrom: esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, gastric cancer, glioblastomas,astrocytomas; retinoblastoma, osteosarcoma, chondosarcoma, Ewing'ssarcoma, rabdomysarcoma, Wilm's tumor, basal cell carcinoma, non-smallcell lung cancer, brain tumour, hormone refractory prostate cancer,prostate cancer, metastatic breast cancer, breast cancer, metastaticpancreatic cancer, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, cervicalcancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and cancer of the head andneck.

The method of treatment also may be the treatment of a conditionselected from: skin fibrosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, renalinterstitial fibrosis, liver fibrosis, proteinuria, kidney graftrejection, osteoarthritis, Parkinsons's disease, cystoid macular edema,uveitis associated cystoid macular edema, retinopathy, diabeticretinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity

In an aspect of the invention there is provided a use of a compound ofthe invention in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of acondition which is modulated by Porcn. The condition may be any of theconditions mentioned above.

Aberrant Wnt signalling may be associated with a condition selectedfrom: non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); chronic lymphocytic leukemia(CLL); gastric cancer; head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC);colorectal cancer; ovarian cancer; basal cell carcinoma (BCC); breastcancer bladder cancer; mesothelioma colorectal; prostate cancer;non-small cell lung cancer; lung cancer; osteosarcoma; Frzoverexpression; has been associated with cancers such as prostate;colorectal; ovarian cancer; gastric; overexpression of Wnt signalingpathway components such as dishevelled; prostate cancer; breast cancer;mesothelioma; cervical; Frat-1 overexpression; pancreatic cancer;esophageal cancer; cervical cancer; breast cancer; and gastric cancer;Axin loss of function (LOF); hepatocellular cancer; medulloblastoma;gastric cancer; colorectal cancer; intestinal carcinoid; ovarian cancer;pulmonary adenocarcinoma; endometrial cancer; hepatocellular;hepatoblastoma; medulloblastoma; pancreatic cancer; thyroid cancer;prostate cancer; melanoma; pilomatricoma; Wilms' tumor;pancreatoblastomas; liposarcomas; juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas;desmoid; synovial sarcoma; melanoma; leukemia; multiple myeloma; braintumors, such as gliomas, astrocytomas, meningiomas, schwannomas,pituitary tumors, primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET),medulloblastomas, craniopharyngioma, pineal region tumors, andnon-cancerous neurofibromatoses;

Inhibition of Wnt signaling with the Wnt antagonists of the presentinvention may be therapeutic in the treatment of disorders resultingfrom dysfunctional hematopoieses, such as leukemias and various bloodrelated cancers, such as acute, chronic, lymphoid and myelogenousleukemias, myelodysplastic syndrome and myeloproliferative disorders.These include myeloma, lymphoma (e.g., Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's)chronic and nonprogressive anemia, progressive and symptomatic bloodcell deficiencies, polycythemia vera, essential or primarythrombocythemia, idiopathic myelofibrosis, chronic myelomonocyticleukemia (CMML), mantle cell lymphoma, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, andWaldenstrom macro globinemia.

Other disorders associated with aberrant Wnt signaling, include but arenot limited to osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, polycystic kidney disease,diabetes, schizophrenia, vascular disease, cardiac disease,non-oncogenic proliferative diseases, and neurodegenerative diseasessuch as Alzheimers disease.

Aberrant Wnt signalling may be associated with a cancer selected from:brain; lung; colon; epidermoid; squamous cell; bladder; gastric;pancreatic; breast; head and neck; renal; kidney; liver; ovarian;prostate; uterine; oesophageal; testicular; gynaecological; thyroid;melanoma; acute myeloid leukemia; chronic myelogenous leukemia; MCLKaposi's sarcoma;

Aberrant Wnt signalling may be associated with an inflammatory diseaseselected from: multiple sclerosis; rheumatoid arthritis; systemic lupus;inflammatory bowel disease; osteoarthritis; Alzheimer's.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Given below are definitions of terms used in this application. Any termnot defined herein takes the normal meaning as the skilled person wouldunderstand the term.

The term “halo” refers to one of the halogens, group 17 of the periodictable. In particular the term refers to fluorine, chlorine, bromine andiodine. Preferably, the term refers to fluorine or chlorine.

The term “C₁₋₄ alkyl” refers to a linear or branched hydrocarbon chaincontaining 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms, for example methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl andn-hexyl. Alkylene groups may likewise be linear or branched and may havetwo places of attachment to the remainder of the molecule. Furthermore,an alkylene group may, for example, correspond to one of those alkylgroups listed in this paragraph. The alkyl and alkylene groups may beunsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents. Possiblesubstituents are described below. Substituents for the alkyl group maybe halogen, e.g. fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine, OH, C₁₋₆alkoxy.

The term “C₁₋₄ alkoxy” refers to an alkyl group which is attached to amolecule via oxygen. This includes moieties where the alkyl part may belinear or branched and may contain 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms, forexample methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl,tert-butyl, n-pentyl and n-hexyl. Therefore, the alkoxy group may bemethoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, iso-propoxy, n-butoxy, sec-butoxy,tert-butoxy, n-pentoxy and n-hexoxy. The alkyl part of the alkoxy groupmay be unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents.Possible substituents are described below. Substituents for the alkylgroup may be halogen, e.g. fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine, OH,C₁₋₆ alkoxy.

The term “C₁₋₄ haloalkyl” refers to a hydrocarbon chain substituted withat least one halogen atom independently chosen at each occurrence, forexample fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. The halogen atom may bepresent at any position on the hydrocarbon chain. For example, C₁₋₄haloalkyl may refer to chloromethyl, fluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl,chloroethyl e.g. 1-chloromethyl and 2-chloroethyl, trichloroethyl e.g.1,2,2-trichloroethyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl, fluoroethyl e.g.1-fluoromethyl and 2-fluoroethyl, trifluoroethyl e.g.1,2,2-trifluoroethyl and 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, chloropropyl,trichloropropyl, fluoropropyl, trifluoropropyl.

The term “C₂₋₆ alkenyl” refers to a branched or linear hydrocarbon chaincontaining at least one double bond and having 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbonatoms. The double bond(s) may be present as the E or Z isomer. Thedouble bond may be at any possible position of the hydrocarbon chain.For example, the “C₂₋₆ alkenyl” may be ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl,butadienyl, pentenyl, pentadienyl, hexenyl and hexadienyl.

The term “C₂₋₆ alkynyl” refers to a branched or linear hydrocarbon chaincontaining at least one triple bond and having 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbonatoms. The triple bond may be at any possible position of thehydrocarbon chain. For example, the “C₂₋₆ alkynyl” may be ethynyl,propynyl, butynyl, pentynyl and hexynyl.

The term “C₁₋₆ heteroalkyl” refers to a branched or linear hydrocarbonchain containing 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 carbon atoms and at least oneheteroatom selected from N, O and S positioned between any carbon in thechain or at an end of the chain. For example, the hydrocarbon chain maycontain one or two heteroatoms. The C₁₋₆ heteroalkyl may be bonded tothe rest of the molecule through a carbon or a heteroatom. For example,the “C₁₋₆ heteroalkyl” may be C₁₋₆ N-alkyl, C₁₋₆ N,N-alkyl, or C₁₋₆O-alkyl.

The term “carbocyclic” refers to a saturated or unsaturated carboncontaining ring system. A “carbocyclic” system may be monocyclic or afused polycyclic ring system, for example, bicyclic or tricyclic. A“carbocyclic” moiety may contain from 3 to 14 carbon atoms, for example,3 to 8 carbon atoms in a monocyclic system and 7 to 14 carbon atoms in apolycyclic system. “Carbocyclic” encompasses cycloalkyl moieties,cycloalkenyl moieties, aryl ring systems and fused ring systemsincluding an aromatic portion.

The term “heterocyclic” refers to a saturated or unsaturated ring systemcontaining at least one heteroatom selected from N, O or S. A“heterocyclic” system may contain 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms, for example1 or 2. A “heterocyclic” system may be monocyclic or a fused polycyclicring system, for example, bicyclic or tricyclic. A “heterocyclic” moietymay contain from 3 to 14 carbon atoms, for example, 3 to 8 carbon atomsin a monocyclic system and 7 to 14 carbon atoms in a polycyclic system.“Heterocyclic” encompasses heterocycloalkyl moieties, heterocycloalkenylmoieties and heteroaromatic moieties. For example, the heterocyclicgroup may be: oxirane, aziridine, azetidine, oxetane, tetrahydrofuran,pyrrolidine, imidazolidine, succinimide, pyrazolidine, oxazolidine,isoxazolidine, thiazolidine, isothiazolidine, piperidine, morpholine,thiomorpholine, piperazine, and tetrahydropyran.

The term “C₃₋₉ cycloalkyl” refers to a saturated hydrocarbon ring systemcontaining 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 carbon atoms. For example, the “C₃₋₈cycloalkyl” may be cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl,cycloheptyl and cyclooctyl.

The term “C₃₋₈ cycloalkenyl” refers to an unsaturated hydrocarbon ringsystem containing 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 carbon atoms that is not aromatic.The ring may contain more than one double bond provided that the ringsystem is not aromatic. For example, the “C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl” may becyclopropenyl, cyclobutenyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclopentadienyl,cyclohexenyl, cyclohexadienly, cycloheptenyl, cycloheptadiene,cycloodenyl and cycloatadienyl.

The term “C₃₋₈ heterocycloalkyl” refers to a saturated hydrocarbon ringsystem containing 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 carbon atoms and at least oneheteroatom within the ring selected from N, O and S. For example theremay be 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms, optionally 1 or 2. The “C₃₋₈heterocycloalkyl” may be bonded to the rest of the molecule through anycarbon atom or heteroatom. The “C₃₋₈ heterocycloalkyl” may have one ormore, e.g. one or two, bonds to the rest of the molecule: these bondsmay be through any of the atoms in the ring. For example, the “C₃₋₈heterocycloalkyl” may be oxirane, aziridine, azetidine, oxetane,tetrahydrofuran, pyrrolidine, imidazolidine, succinimide, pyrazolidine,oxazolidine, isoxazolidine, thiazolidine, isothiazolidine, piperidine,morpholine, thiomorpholine, piperazine, and tetrahydropyran.

The term “C₃₋₈ heterocycloalkenyl” refers to an unsaturated hydrocarbonring system, that is not aromatic, containing 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 carbonatoms and at least one heteroatom within the ring selected from N, O andS. For example there may be 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms, optionally 1 or 2.The “C₃₋₈ heterocycloalkenyl” may be bonded to the rest of the moleculethrough any carbon atom or heteroatom. The “C₃₋₈ heterocycloalkenyl” mayhave one or more, e.g. one or two, bonds to the rest of the molecule:these bonds may be through any of the atoms in the ring. For example,the “C₃₋₈ heterocycloalkyl” may be tetrahydropyridine, dihydropyran,dihydrofuran, pyrroline.

The term “aromatic” when applied to a substituent as a whole means asingle ring or polycyclic ring system with 4n+2 electrons in aconjugated π system within the ring or ring system where all atomscontributing to the conjugated π system are in the same plane.

The term “aryl” refers to an aromatic hydrocarbon ring system. The ringsystem has 4n+2 electrons in a conjugated π system within a ring whereall atoms contributing to the conjugated π system are in the same plane.For example, the “aryl” may be phenyl and naphthyl. The aryl systemitself may be substituted with other groups.

The term “heteroaryl” refers to an aromatic hydrocarbon ring system withat least one heteroatom within a single ring or within a fused ringsystem, selected from O, N and S. The ring or ring system has 4n+2electrons in a conjugated π system where all atoms contributing to theconjugated π system are in the same plane. For example, the “heteroaryl”may be imidazole, thiene, furane, thianthrene, pyrrol, benzimidazole,pyrazole, pyrazine, pyridine, pyrimidine and indole.

The term “alkaryl” refers to an aryl group, as defined above, bonded toa C₁₋₄ alkyl, where the C₁₋₄ alkyl group provides attachment to theremainder of the molecule.

The term “alkheteroaryl” refers to a heteroaryl group, as defined above,bonded to a C₁₋₄ alkyl, where the alkyl group provides attachment to theremainder of the molecule.

The term “halogen” herein includes reference to F, Cl, Br and I. Halogenmay be Cl. Halogen may be F.

A bond terminating in a “

” represents that the bond is connected to another atom that is notshown in the structure. A bond terminating inside a cyclic structure andnot terminating at an atom of the ring structure represents that thebond may be connected to any of the atoms in the ring structure whereallowed by valency.

Where a moiety is substituted, it may be substituted at any point on themoiety where chemically possible and consistent with atomic valencyrequirements. The moiety may be substituted by one or more substituents,e.g. 1, 2, 3 or 4 substituents; optionally there are 1 or 2 substituentson a group. Where there are two or more substituents, the substituentsmay be the same or different. The substituent(s) may be selected from:OH, NHR, amidino, guanidino, hydroxyguanidino, formamidino,isothioureido, ureido, mercapto, C(O)H, acyl, acyloxy, carboxy, sulfo,sulfamoyl, carbamoyl, cyano, azo, nitro, halo, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy,C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, aryl,heteroaryl or alkaryl. Where the group to be substituted is an alkylgroup the substituent may be ═O. R may be selected from H, C₁₋₆ alkyl,C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl or phenethyl group, e.g. R is H or C₁₋₃alkyl. Where the moiety is substituted with two or more substituents andtwo of the substituents are adjacent the adjacent substituents may forma C₄₋₈ ring along with the atoms of the moiety on which the substituentsare substituted, wherein the C₄₋₈ ring is a saturated or unsaturatedhydrocarbon ring with 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 carbon atoms or a saturated orunsaturated hydrocarbon ring with 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 carbon atoms and 1, 2or 3 heteroatoms.

Substituents are only present at positions where they are chemicallypossible, the person skilled in the art being able to decide (eitherexperimentally or theoretically) without inappropriate effort whichsubstitutions are chemically possible and which are not.

Ortho, meta and para substitution are well understood terms in the art.For the absence of doubt, “ortho” substitution is a substitution patternwhere adjacent carbons possess a substituent, whether a simple group,for example the fluoro group in the example below, or other portions ofthe molecule, as indicated by the bond ending in “

”.

“Meta” substitution is a substitution pattern where two substituents areon carbons one carbon removed from each other, i.e with a single carbonatom between the substituted carbons. In other words there is asubstituent on the second atom away from the atom with anothersubstituent. For example the groups below are meta substituted.

“Para” substitution is a substitution pattern where two substituents areon carbons two carbons removed from each other, i.e with two carbonatoms between the substituted carbons. In other words there is asubstituent on the third atom away from the atom with anothersubstituent. For example the groups below are para substituted.

Where two groups are substituted on non-adjacent atoms, it will beunderstood by the skilled person that the two groups are not substitutedon the same atom or on two atoms that are bonded to each other. Forexample, the pyrazole ring shown below is shown with two substituentswhich are bonded to non-adjacent atoms. Non-adjacent atoms have at leastone atom in between them.

By “acyl” is meant an organic radical derived from, for example, anorganic acid by the removal of the hydroxyl group, e.g. a radical havingthe formula R—C(O)—, where R may be selected from H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl or phenethyl group, eg R is H or C₁₋₃ alkyl.In one embodiment acyl is alkyl-carbonyl. Examples of acyl groupsinclude, but are not limited to, formyl, acetyl, propionyl and butyryl.A particular acyl group is acetyl.

Throughout the description the disclosure of a compound also encompassespharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and stereoisomers thereof.Where a compound has a stereocentre, both (R) and (S) stereoisomers arecontemplated by the invention, equally mixtures of stereoisomers or aracemic mixture are completed by the present application. Where acompound of the invention has two or more stereocentres any combinationof (R) and (S) stereoisomers is contemplated. The combination of (R) and(S) stereoisomers may result in a diastereomeric mixture or a singlediastereoisomer. The compounds of the invention may be present as asingle stereoisomer or may be mixtures of stereoisomers, for exampleracemic mixtures and other enantiomeric mixtures, and diasteroemericmixtures. Where the mixture is a mixture of enantiomers the enantiomericexcess may be any of those disclosed above. Where the compound is asingle stereoisomer the compounds may still contain otherdiasteroisomers or enantiomers as impurities. Hence a singlestereoisomer does not necessarily have an enantiomeric excess (e.e.) ordiastereomeric excess (d.e.) of 100% but could have an e.e. or d.e. ofabout at least 85%

The invention contemplates pharmaceutically acceptable salts of thecompounds of the invention. These may include the acid addition and basesalts of the compounds. These may be acid addition and base salts of thecompounds. In addition the invention contemplates solvates of thecompounds. These may be hydrates or other solvated forms of thecompound.

Suitable acid addition salts are formed from acids which form non-toxicsalts. Examples include the acetate, aspartate, benzoate, besylate,bicarbonate/carbonate, bisulfate/sulfate, borate, camsylate, citrate,edisylate, esylate, formate, fumarate, gluceptate, gluconate,glucuronate, hexafluorophosphate, hibenzate, hydrochloride/chloride,hydrobromide/bromide, hydroiodide/iodide, isethionate, lactate, malate,maleate, malonate, mesylate, methylsulfate, naphthylate,1,5-naphthalenedisulfonate, 2-napsylate, nicotinate, nitrate, orotate,oxalate, palmitate, pamoate, phosphate/hydrogen phosphate/dihydrogenphosphate, saccharate, stearate, succinate, tartrate, tosylate andtrifluoroacetate salts.

Suitable base salts are formed from bases which form non-toxic salts.Examples include the aluminium, arginine, benzathine, calcium, choline,diethylamine, diolamine, glycine, lysine, magnesium, meglumine, olamine,potassium, sodium, tromethamine and zinc salts. Hemisalts of acids andbases may also be formed, for example, hemisulfate and hemicalciumsalts. For a review on suitable salts, see “Handbook of PharmaceuticalSalts: Properties, Selection, and Use” by Stahl and Wermuth (Wiley-VCH,Weinheim, Germany, 2002).

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of compounds of formula (I) may beprepared by one or more of three methods:

(i) by reacting the compound of the invention with the desired acid orbase;(ii) by removing an acid- or base-labile protecting group from asuitable precursor of the compound of the invention or by ring-opening asuitable cyclic precursor, for example, a lactone or lactam, using thedesired acid or base; or(iii) by converting one salt of the compound of the invention to anotherby reaction with an appropriate acid or base or by means of a suitableion exchange column.

All three reactions are typically carried out in solution. The resultingsalt may precipitate out and be collected by filtration or may berecovered by evaporation of the solvent. The degree of ionisation in theresulting salt may vary from completely ionised to almost non-ionised.

The compounds of the invention may exist in both unsolvated and solvatedforms. The term ‘solvate’ is used herein to describe a molecular complexcomprising the compound of the invention and a stoichiometric amount ofone or more pharmaceutically acceptable solvent molecules, for example,ethanol. The term ‘hydrate’ is employed when said solvent is water.

Included within the scope of the invention are complexes such asclathrates, drug-host inclusion complexes wherein, in contrast to theaforementioned solvates, the drug and host are present in stoichiometricor non-stoichiometric amounts. Also included are complexes of the drugcontaining two or more organic and/or inorganic components which may bein stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric amounts. The resulting complexesmay be ionised, partially ionised, or non-ionised. For a review of suchcomplexes, see J Pharm Sci, 64 (8), 1269-1288 by Haleblian (August1975).

Hereinafter all references to compounds of any formula includereferences to salts, solvates and complexes thereof and to solvates andcomplexes of salts thereof.

The compounds of the invention include compounds of a number of formulaas herein defined, including all polymorphs and crystal habits thereof,prodrugs and isomers thereof (including optical, geometric andtautomeric isomers) as hereinafter defined and isotopically-labelledcompounds of the invention.

The present invention also includes all pharmaceutically acceptableisotopically-labelled compounds of the invention wherein one or moreatoms are replaced by atoms having the same atomic number, but an atomicmass or mass number different from the atomic mass or mass number mostcommonly found in nature.

Examples of isotopes suitable for inclusion in the compounds of theinvention include isotopes of hydrogen, such as ²H and ³H, carbon, suchas ¹¹C, ¹³C and ¹⁴C, chlorine, such as ³⁶Cl, fluorine, such as ¹⁸F,iodine, such as ¹²³I and ¹²⁵I, nitrogen, such as ¹³N and ¹⁵N, oxygen,such as ¹⁵O, ¹⁷O and ¹⁸O, phosphorus, such as ³²P, and sulphur, such as³⁵S.

Certain isotopically-labelled compounds, for example, thoseincorporating a radioactive isotope, are useful in drug and/or substratetissue distribution studies. The radioactive isotopes tritium, i.e. ³H,and carbon-14, i.e. ¹⁴C, are particularly useful for this purpose inview of their ease of incorporation and ready means of detection.

Substitution with heavier isotopes such as deuterium, i.e. ²H, mayafford certain therapeutic advantages resulting from greater metabolicstability, for example, increased in vivo half-life or reduced dosagerequirements, and hence may be preferred in some circumstances.

Before purification, the compounds of the present invention may exist asa mixture of enantiomers depending on the synthetic procedure used. Theenantiomers can be separated by conventional techniques known in theart. Thus the invention covers individual enantiomers as well asmixtures thereof.

For some of the steps of the process of preparation of the compounds ofthe invention, it may be necessary to protect potential reactivefunctions that are not wished to read, and to cleave said protectinggroups in consequence. In such a case, any compatible protecting radicalcan be used. In particular methods of protection and deprotection suchas those described by T. W. GREENE (Protective Groups in OrganicSynthesis, A. Wiley-Interscience Publication, 1981) or by P. J.Kocienski (Protecting groups, Georg Thieme Verlag, 1994), can be used.All of the above reactions and the preparations of novel startingmaterials used in the preceding methods are conventional and appropriatereagents and reaction conditions for their performance or preparation aswell as procedures for isolating the desired products will be well-knownto those skilled in the art with reference to literature precedents andthe examples and preparations hereto.

Also, the compounds of the present invention as well as intermediatesfor the preparation thereof can be purified according to variouswell-known methods, such as for example crystallization orchromatography.

One or more compounds of the invention may be combined with one or morepharmaceutical agents, for example anti-viral agents, chemotherapeutics,anti-cancer agents, immune enhancers, immunosuppressants, anti-tumourvaccines, anti-viral vaccines, cytokine therapy, or tyrosine kinaseinhibitors, for the treatment of conditions modulated by the inhibitionof Porcn, for example cancer, sarcoma, melanoma, skin cancer,haematological tumors, lymphoma, carcinoma, leukemia, central nervoussystem disorders, inflammation and immunological diseases

The method of treatment or the compound for use in the treatment ofcancer, sarcoma, melanoma, skin cancer, haematological tumors, lymphoma,carcinoma, leukemia, central nervous system disorders, inflammation andimmunological diseases as defined hereinbefore may be applied as a soletherapy or be a combination therapy with an additional active agent.

The method of treatment or the compound for use in the treatment ofcancer, sarcoma, melanoma, skin cancer, haematological tumors, lymphoma,carcinoma, leukemia, and central nervous system disorders may involve,in addition to the compound of the invention, conventional surgery orradiotherapy or chemotherapy. Such chemotherapy may include one or moreof the following categories of anti-tumor agents:

(i) antiproliferative/antineoplastic drugs and combinations thereof,such as alkylating agents (for example cis-platin, oxaliplatin,carboplatin, cyclophosphamide, nitrogen mustard, uracil mustard,bendamustin, melphalan, chlorambucil, chlormethine, busulphan,temozolamide, nitrosoureas, ifosamide, melphalan, pipobroman,triethylene-melamine, triethylenethiophoporamine, carmustine, omustine,stroptozocin and dacarbazine); antimetabolites (for example gemcitabineand antifolates such as fluoropyrimidines like 5-fluorouracil andtegafur, raltitrexed, methotrexate, pemetrexed, cytosine arabinoside,floxuridine, cytarabine, 6-mercaptopurine, 6-thioguanine, fludarabinephosphate, pentostatine, and gemcitabine and hydroxyurea); antibiotics(for example anthracyclines like adriamycin, bleomycin, doxorubicin,daunomycin, epirubicin, idarubicin, mitomycin-C, dactinomycin andmithramycin); antimitotic agents (for example vinca alkaloids likevincristine, vinblastine, vindesine and vinorelbine and taxoids liketaxol and taxotere and polokinase inhibitors); proteasome inhibitors,for example carfilzomib and bortezomib; interferon therapy; andtopoisomerase inhibitors (for example epipodophyllotoxins like etoposideand teniposide, amsacrine, topotecan, mitoxantrone and camptothecin);bieomcin, dactinomycin, daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin,idarubicin, ara-C, paclitaxel (Taxol™), nabpaclitaxel, docetaxel,mithramycin, deoxyco-formycin, mitomycin-C, L-asparaginase, interferons(especially IFN-a), etoposide, and teniposide;(ii) cytostatic agents such as antiestrogens (for example tamoxifen,fulvestrant, toremifene, raloxifene, droloxifene and iodoxyfene),antiandrogens (for example bicalutamide, flutamide, nilutamide andcyproterone acetate), LHRH antagonists or LHRH agonists (for examplegoserelin, leuprorelin and buserelin), progestogens (for examplemegestrol acetate), aromatase inhibitors (for example as anastrozole,letrozole, vorazole and exemestane) and inhibitors of 5α-reductase suchas finasteride; and navelbene, CPT-II, anastrazole, letrazole,capecitabine, reloxafme, cyclophosphamide, ifosamide, and droloxafine;(iii) anti-invasion agents, for example dasatinib and bosutinib(SKI-606), and metalloproteinase inhibitors, inhibitors of urokinaseplasminogen activator receptor function or antibodies to Heparanase;(iv) inhibitors of growth factor function: for example such inhibitorsinclude growth factor antibodies and growth factor receptor antibodies,for example the anti-erbB2 antibody trastuzumab [Herceptin™], theanti-EGFR antibody panitumumab, the anti-erbB1 antibody cetuximab,tyrosine kinase inhibitors, for example inhibitors of the epidermalgrowth factor family (for example EGFR family tyrosine kinase inhibitorssuch as gefitinib, erlotinib,6-acrylamido-N-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-7-(3-morpholinopropoxy)-quinazolin-4-amine(CI 1033), erbB2 tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as lapatinib) andantibodies to costimulatory molecules such as CTLA-4, 4-IBB and PD-I, orantibodies to cytokines (IL-I0, TGF-beta); inhibitors of the hepatocytegrowth factor family; inhibitors of the insulin growth factor family;modulators of protein regulators of cell apoptosis (for example Bcl-2inhibitors); inhibitors of the platelet-derived growth factor familysuch as imatinib and/or nilotinib (AMN107); inhibitors ofserine/threonine kinases (for example Ras/Raf signalling inhibitors suchas farnesyl transferase inhibitors, for example sorafenib, tipifarniband lonafarnib), inhibitors of cell signalling through MEK and/or AKTkinases, c-kit inhibitors, abl kinase inhibitors, PI3 kinase inhibitors,Plt3 kinase inhibitors, CSF-1R kinase inhibitors, IGF receptor, kinaseinhibitors; aurora kinase inhibitors and cyclin dependent kinaseinhibitors such as CDK2 and/or CDK4 inhibitors; and CCR2, CCR4 or CCR6modulator;(v) antiangiogenic agents such as those which inhibit the effects ofvascular endothelial growth factor, [for example the anti-vascularendothelial cell growth factor antibody bevacizumab (Avastin™);thalidomide; lenalidomide; and for example, a VEGF receptor tyrosinekinase inhibitor such as vandetanib, vatalanib, sunitinib, axitinib andpazopanib;(vi) gene therapy approaches, including for example approaches toreplace aberrant genes such as aberrant p53 or aberrant BRCA1 or BRCA2;(vii) immunotherapy approaches, including for example antibody therapysuch as alemtuzumab, rituximab, ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin®) andofatumumab; interferons such as interferon α; interleukins such as IL-2(aldesleukin); interleukin inhibitors for example IRAK4 inhibitors;cancer vaccines including prophylactic and treatment vaccines such asHPV vaccines, for example Gardasil, Cervarix, Oncophage and Sipuleucel-T(Provenge); gp100; dendritic cell-based vaccines (such as Ad.p53 DC);and toll-like receptor modulators for example TLR-7 or TLR-9 agonists;and(viii) cytotoxic agents for example fludaribine (fludara), cladribine,pentostatin (Nipent™);(ix) steroids such as corticosteroids, including glucocorticoids andmineralocorticoids, for example aclometasone, aclometasone dipropionate,aldosterone, amcinonide, beclomethasone, beclomethasone dipropionate,betamethasone, betamethasone dipropionate, betamethasone sodiumphosphate, betamethasone valerate, budesonide, clobetasone, clobetasonebutyrate, clobetasol propionate, cloprednol, cortisone, cortisoneacetate, cortivazol, deoxycortone, desonide, desoximetasone,dexamethasone, dexamethasone sodium phosphate, dexamethasoneisonicotinate, difluorocortolone, fluclorolone, flumethasone,flunisolide, fluocinolone, fluocinolone acetonide, fluocinonide,fluocortin butyl, fluorocortisone, fluorocortolone, fluocortolonecaproate, fluocortolone pivalate, fluorometholone, fluprednidene,fluprednidene acetate, flurandrenolone, fluticasone, fluticasonepropionate, halcinonide, hydrocortisone, hydrocortisone acetate,hydrocortisone butyrate, hydrocortisone aceponate, hydrocortisonebuteprate, hydrocortisone valerate, icomethasone, icomethasone enbutate,meprednisone, methylprednisolone, mometasone paramethasone, mometasonefuroate monohydrate, prednicarbate, prednisolone, prednisone,tixocortol, tixocortol pivalate, triamcinolone, triamcinolone acetonide,triamcinolone alcohol and their respective pharmaceutically acceptablederivatives. A combination of steroids may be used, for example acombination of two or more steroids mentioned in this paragraph;(x) targeted therapies, for example PI3Kd inhibitors, for exampleidelalisib and perifosine; PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2 and CTL4-A modulators,antibodies and vaccines; IDO inhibitors (such as indoximod); anti-PD-1monoclonal antibodies (such as MK-3475 and nivolumab); anti-PDL1monoclonal antibodies (such as MEDI-4736 and RG-7446); anti-PDL2monoclonal antibodies; and anti-CTLA-4 antibodies (such as ipilimumab);(xi) anti-viral agents such as nucleotide reverse transcriptaseinhibitors (for example, zidovudine, didanosine, zalcitabine, stavudine,lamivudine, abacavir, adefovir diprovoxil, lobucavir, BCH-10652,emitricitabine, beta-L-FD4 (also called 3′-dicleoxy-5-fluoro-cytidine),(−)-beta-D-2,6-diamino-purine dioxolane, and lodenasine), non-nucleosidereverse transcriptase inhibitors (for example, nevirapine, delaviradine,efavirenz, PNU-142721, AG-1549, MKC-442(1-ethoxy-methyl)-5-(1-methylethy)-6-(phenylmehtyl)-(2,4(1H,3H)pyrimidineone),and (+)-alanolide A and B) and protease inhibitors (for example,saquinavir, ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, amprenavir, lasinavir,DMP-450, BMS-2322623, ABT-378 and AG-1 549);(xii) chimeric antigen receptors, anticancer vaccines and arginaseinhibitors.

The method of treatment or the compound for use in the treatment ofinflammation and immunological diseases may involve, in addition to thecompound of the invention, additional active agents. The additionalactive agents may be one or more active agents used to treat thecondition being treated by the compound of the invention and additionalactive agent. The additional active agents may include one or more ofthe following active agents:—

(i) steroids such as corticosteroids, including glucocorticoids andmineralocorticoids, for example aclometasone, aclometasone dipropionate,aldosterone, amcinonide, beclomethasone, beclomethasone dipropionate,betamethasone, betamethasone dipropionate, betamethasone sodiumphosphate, betamethasone valerate, budesonide, clobetasone, clobetasonebutyrate, clobetasol propionate, cloprednol, cortisone, cortisoneacetate, cortivazol, deoxycortone, desonide, desoximetasone,dexamethasone, dexamethasone sodium phosphate, dexamethasoneisonicotinate, difluorocortolone, fluclorolone, flumethasone,flunisolide, fluocinolone, fluocinolone acetonide, fluocinonide,fluocortin butyl, fluorocortisone, fluorocortolone, fluocortolonecaproate, fluocortolone pivalate, fluorometholone, fluprednidene,fluprednidene acetate, flurandrenolone, fluticasone, fluticasonepropionate, halcinonide, hydrocortisone, hydrocortisone acetate,hydrocortisone butyrate, hydrocortisone aceponate, hydrocortisonebuteprate, hydrocortisone valerate, icomethasone, icomethasone enbutate,meprednisone, methylprednisolone, mometasone paramethasone, mometasonefuroate monohydrate, prednicarbate, prednisolone, prednisone,tixocortol, tixocortol pivalate, triamcinolone, triamcinolone acetonide,triamcinolone alcohol and their respective pharmaceutically acceptablederivatives. A combination of steroids may be used, for example acombination of two or more steroids mentioned in this paragraph;(ii) TNF inhibitors for example etanercept; monoclonal antibodies (e.g.infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira), certolizumab pegol (Cimzia),golimumab (Simponi)); fusion proteins (e.g. etanercept (Enbrel)); and5-HT_(2A) agonists (e.g. 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine, TCB-2,lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), lysergic acid dimethylazetidide);(iii) anti-inflammatory drugs, for example non-steroidalanti-inflammatory drugs;(iv) dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors/antifolates, for examplemethotrexate, trimethoprim, brodimoprim, tetroxoprim, iclaprim,pemetrexed, ralitrexed and pralatrexate; and(v) immunosuppressants for example cyclosporins, tacrolimus, sirolimuspimecrolimus, angiotensin II inhibitors (e.g. Valsartan, Telmisartan,Losartan, Irbesatan, Azilsartan, Olmesartan, Candesartan, Eprosartan)and ACE inhibitors e.g. sulfhydryl-containing agents (e.g. Captopril,Zofenopril), dicarboxylate-containing agents (e.g. Enalapril, Ramipril,Quinapril, Perindopril, Lisinopril, Benazepril, Imidapril, Zofenopril,Trandolapril), phosphate-containing agents (e.g. Fosinopril),casokinins, lactokinins and lactotripeptides.

Such combination treatment may be achieved by way of the simultaneous,sequential or separate dosing of the individual components of thetreatment. Such combination products employ the compounds of thisinvention within a therapeutically effective dosage range describedhereinbefore and the other pharmaceutically-active agent within itsapproved dosage range.

Compounds of the invention may exist in a single crystal form or in amixture of crystal forms or they may be amorphous. Thus, compounds ofthe invention intended for pharmaceutical use may be administered ascrystalline or amorphous products. They may be obtained, for example, assolid plugs, powders, or films by methods such as precipitation,crystallization, freeze drying, or spray drying, or evaporative drying.Microwave or radio frequency drying may be used for this purpose.

For the above-mentioned compounds of the invention the dosageadministered will, of course, vary with the compound employed, the modeof administration, the treatment desired and the disorder indicated. Forexample, if the compound of the invention is administered orally, thenthe daily dosage of the compound of the invention may be in the rangefrom 0.01 micrograms per kilogram body weight (μg/kg) to 100 milligramsper kilogram body weight (mg/kg).

A compound of the invention, or pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof, may be used on their own but will generally be administered inthe form of a pharmaceutical composition in which the compounds of theinvention, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is inassociation with a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, diluent orcarrier. Conventional procedures for the selection and preparation ofsuitable pharmaceutical formulations are described in, for example,“Pharmaceuticals—The Science of Dosage Form Designs”, M. E. Aulton,Churchill Livingstone, 1988.

Depending on the mode of administration of the compounds of theinvention, the pharmaceutical composition which is used to administerthe compounds of the invention will preferably comprise from 0.05 to 99%w (percent by weight) compounds of the invention, more preferably from0.05 to 80% w compounds of the invention, still more preferably from0.10 to 70% w compounds of the invention, and even more preferably from0.10 to 50% w compounds of the invention, all percentages by weightbeing based on total composition.

The pharmaceutical compositions may be administered topically (e.g. tothe skin) in the form, e.g., of creams, gels, lotions, solutions,suspensions, or systemically, e.g. by oral administration in the form oftablets, capsules, syrups, powders or granules; or by parenteraladministration in the form of a sterile solution, suspension or emulsionfor injection (including intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular,intravascular or infusion); by rectal administration in the form ofsuppositories; or by inhalation in the form of an aerosol.

For oral administration the compounds of the invention may be admixedwith an adjuvant or a carrier, for example, lactose, saccharose,sorbitol, mannitol; a starch, for example, potato starch, corn starch oramylopectin; a cellulose derivative; a binder, for example, gelatine orpolyvinylpyrrolidone; and/or a lubricant, for example, magnesiumstearate, calcium stearate, polyethylene glycol, a wax, paraffin, andthe like, and then compressed into tablets. If coated tablets arerequired, the cores, prepared as described above, may be coated with aconcentrated sugar solution which may contain, for example, gum arabic,gelatine, talcum and titanium dioxide. Alternatively, the tablet may becoated with a suitable polymer dissolved in a readily volatile organicsolvent.

For the preparation of soft gelatine capsules, the compounds of theinvention may be admixed with, for example, a vegetable oil orpolyethylene glycol. Hard gelatine capsules may contain granules of thecompound using either the above-mentioned excipients for tablets. Alsoliquid or semisolid formulations of the compound of the invention may befilled into hard gelatine capsules. Liquid preparations for oralapplication may be in the form of syrups or suspensions, for example,solutions containing the compound of the invention, the balance beingsugar and a mixture of ethanol, water, glycerol and propylene glycol.Optionally such liquid preparations may contain colouring agents,flavouring agents, sweetening agents (such as saccharine), preservativeagents and/or carboxymethylcellulose as a thickening agent or otherexcipients known to those skilled in art.

For intravenous (parenteral) administration the compounds of theinvention may be administered as a sterile aqueous or oily solution.

The size of the dose for therapeutic purposes of compounds of theinvention will naturally vary according to the nature and severity ofthe conditions, the age and sex of the animal or patient and the routeof administration, according to well-known principles of medicine.

Dosage levels, dose frequency, and treatment durations of compounds ofthe invention are expected to differ depending on the formulation andclinical indication, age, and co-morbid medical conditions of thepatient. The standard duration of treatment with compounds of theinvention is expected to vary between one and seven days for mostclinical indications. It may be necessary to extend the duration oftreatment beyond seven days in instances of recurrent infections orinfections associated with tissues or implanted materials to which thereis poor blood supply including bones/joints, respiratory tract,endocardium, and dental tissues.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words“comprise” and “contain” and variations of them mean “including but notlimited to”, and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude othermoieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout thedescription and claims of this specification, the singular encompassesthe plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, wherethe indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood ascontemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the contextrequires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties orgroups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment orexample of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to anyother aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatibletherewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or allof the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined inany combination, except combinations where at least some of suchfeatures and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is notrestricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The inventionextends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the featuresdisclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims,abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination,of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which arefiled concurrently with or previous to this specification in connectionwith this application and which are open to public inspection with thisspecification, and the contents of all such papers and documents areincorporated herein by reference.

EXAMPLES AND SYNTHESIS

Solvents, reagents and starting materials were purchased from commercialvendors and used as received unless otherwise described. All reactionswere performed at room temperature unless otherwise stated. Compoundidentity and purity confirmations were performed by LCMS UV using aWaters Acquity SQ Detector 2 (ACQ-SQD2#LCA081). The diode array detectorwavelength was 254 nM and the MS was in positive and negativeelectrospray mode (m/z: 150-800). A 2 μL aliquot was injected onto aguard column (0.2 μm×2 mm filters) and UPLC column (C18, 50×2.1 mm, <2μm) in sequence maintained at 40° C. The samples were eluted at a flowrate of 0.6 mL/min with a mobile phase system composed of A (0.1% (v/v)Formic Acid in Water) and B (0.1% (v/v) Formic Acid in Acetonitrile)according to the gradients outlined in Table 1 below. Retention times RTare reported in minutes.

TABLE 1 Time (min) % A % B Method 1 0 95 5 1.1 95 5 6.1 5 95 7 5 95 7.595 5 8 95 5 Method 2 0 95 5 0.3 95 5 2 5 95 2.6 95 5 3 95 5

NMR was also used to characterise final compounds. NMR spectra wereobtained on a Bruker AVIII 400 Nanobay with 5 mm BBFO probe. Optionally,compound Rf values on silica thin layer chromatography (TLC) plates weremeasured.

Compound purification was performed by flash column chromatography onsilica or by preparative LCMS. LCMS purification was performed using aWaters 3100 Mass detector in positive and negative electrospray mode(m/z: 150-800) with a Waters 2489 UV/Vis detector. Samples were elutedat a flow rate of 20 mL/min on a XBridge™ prep C18 5 μM OBD 19×100 mmcolumn with a mobile phase system composed of A (0.1% (v/v) Formic Acidin Water) and B (0.1% (v/v) Formic Acid in Acetonitrile) according tothe gradient outlined in Table 2 below.

TABLE 2 Time (min) % A % B 0 90 10 1.5 90 10 11.7 5 95 13.7 5 95 14 9090 15 90 90

Chemical names in this document were generated using Elemental Structureto Name Conversion by Dotmatics Scientific Software. Starting materialswere purchased from commercial sources or synthesised according toliterature procedures.

The compounds of the invention may be synthesised by analogy with thefollowing reaction routes:

Biaryl Alpha-Chloroacetamide: Synthesis A

Biaryl Alpha-Chloroacetamide: Synthesis B

The steps within General Scheme 1 shown above may be performed in theorder shown above or in a different order. For example, as the skilledperson would appreciate, the Suzuki coupling could be carried out aftercoupling with the biaryl alpha-chloroacetamide etc. Protecting groupsmay be present or absent as necessary. For example a nitrogen atom maybe protected or unprotected.

Intermediate 1: 4-odo-1-trityl-imidazole

4-iodoimidazole (5.38 g, 27.72 mmol) was dissolved in THF (86 mL).Trityl chloride, (8.5 g, 30.49 mmol) and triethylamine (7.73 mL, 55.44mmol) were added and the reaction was heated at 70° C. After 3 h, TLCshowed that the reaction had gone to completion. Therefore, the reactionmixture was allowed to cool to 45° C. and filtered to remove thesuspended white solid. The filtrate was concentrated, redissolved in DCM(300 mL) and washed with 5 wt % aq. sodium thiosulfate solution (300mL), which was back-extracted with DCM (150 mL). The organics werecombined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to yieldthe crude product. The white solid was taken up in EtOAc (300 ml) andheated to reflux for 30 minutes. The mixture was cooled and the solidwas obtained by vacuum filtration. The white solid was dried in thevacuum oven for 3 hours affording 4-iodo-1-trityl-imidazole (6.721 g,15.40 mmol, 55.57% yield).

MS Method 2: RT 2.08 min, ES⁺ m/z 459 [M+Na]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ/ppm: 7.35-7.40 (m, 10H), 7.06-7.11 (m, 7H).

Intermediate 2: (1-tritylimidazol-4-yl)boronic acid

To a suspension of 4-iodo-1-trityl-imidazole (3.00 g, 6.88 mmol) in THF(55 mL) at 0° C. was slowly added isopropylmagnesium chloride (8.6 mL,17.19 mmol), the clear solution was then left to stir for 10 minutes.Trimethyl borate (3.83 mL, 34.38 mmol) was added portion wise and thereaction mixture was left to stir for 10 minutes at 0° C. before beingallowed to reach room temperature and stir for a further 10 minutes. 1MHCl (30 mL) was then added and the reaction was stirred for 10 minutes.The reaction was quenched by pouring it slowly in to a saturatedsolution of NaHCO₃ solution (100 mL) which was then extracted with EtOAc(3×50 mL). The combined organic phases were then dired over Na₂SO₄ andconcentrated in vacuo to give the crude product(1-tritylimidazol-4-yl)boronic acid (2.53 g, 7.15 mmol, 103.92% yield)as an off white solid.

MS Method 2: RT 1.47 min, ES⁺ m/z 355 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ/ppm: 7.20-7.45 (m, 10H), 6.95-7.10 (m, 7H).

Intermediate 3:4-(1-trityl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine

4-iodo-2-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (0.03 mL, 3.27 mmol),(1-tritylimidazol-4-yl)boronic acid (1.01 g, 2.98 mmol), potassiumcarbonate (822.53 mg, 5.95 mmol) were added to a microwave vial with1,4-dioxane (12 mL) and water (4 mL) (all reactants were split equallybetween two microwave vials), and the flask was flushed with nitrogenfor 10 mins [1,1-Bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]Palladium(II) chloridedichloromethane complex (121.50 mg, 0.15 mmol) was added, then the flaskwas flushed again with nitrogen for a further 5 mins. The reaction washeated under microwave irradiation at 100° C. for 1 hour. Product wasseen however starting material also remained. The reaction was heated to100° C. for a further hour thermally however the reaction did notprogress any further. The reaction was concentrated and then partitionedbetween water and EtOAc. The organic layer was washed with water andbrine, the organic layer was then dried over sodium sulphate, filteredand concentrated. Flash column chromatography (SiO₂, 0-50% EtOAc inheptane) gave 4-(1-trityl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine(512 mg, 1.12 mmol, 37.7% yield).

MS Method 2: RT 2.16 min, ES⁺ m/z 456 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ/ppm: 8.64-8.68 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 8.00 (s,1H), 7.79-7.81 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.59 (s, 1H), 7.38-7.42 (m, 10H),7.18-7.28 (m, 6H).

Biaryl Alpha-Chloroacetamide: Synthesis A—Step 1 Intermediate 4:5-pyrimidin-6-ylpyridin-2-amine

A microwave vial with stirrer bar was charged with2-aminopyridine-5-boronic acid pinacol ester (0.95 g, 4.3 mmol)5-bromopyrimidine (600 mg, 3.77 mmol), sodium carbonate (1.20 g, 11.32mmol) Toluene (5 mL) Water (5 mL) Ethanol (5 mL) and degassed for 10mins.

Tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (436 mg, 0.38 mmol) was thenadded and the vial sealed then irradiated at 100° C. for 1 hr. Analysisshowed completion so the reaction mixture was concentrated to dryness,then the residue was suspended in DCM and 1M aqueous HCl was then added.The phases were separated and the aqueous phase was basified with 10%aqueous NaOH until pH-12. The aqueous layer was re-extracted with EtOAcseveral times, dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and concentrated.The resulting solid was triturated with diethyl ether and then filteredgiving 5-pyrimidin-5-ylpyridin-2-amine (355 mg, 1.65 mmol, 43.702%yield) as a pink powder.

MS Method 2: RT 0.36 min, ES⁺ m/z 173 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, MeOD) δ/ppm: 9.07-9.09 (s, 1H), 9.00-9.02 (s, 2H),8.28-8.38 (dd, J=2.5, 0.7 Hz, 1H), 7.84-7.87 (dd, J=8.8, 2.5 Hz, 1H),6.72-6.75 ((dd, J=8.8, 0.7 Hz, 1H).

Biaryl Aloha-Chloroacetamide: Synthesis A—Step 2 Intermediate 5:2-chloro-N-(5-pyrimidin-6-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide

To a pink suspension of 5-pyrimidin-5-ylpyridin-2-amine (355 mg, 2.06mmol), THF (1.5 mL) and N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.72 mL, 4.12 mmol)was added drop-wise chloroacetyl chloride (0.16 mL, 2.06 mmol) at roomtemperature. The suspension turned black and a large exotherm was givenoff. Analysis of the reaction after 30 mins showed that it was complete.The reaction was diluted with methanol and then concentrated. Theresulting residue was purified by flash column chromatography (12 gSiO₂, 30-100% EtOAc in heptane, then 0-20% MeOH in EtOAc) affording anoff white/brown solid 2-chloro-N-(5-pyrimidin-5-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide(194 mg, 0.78 mmol, 37.84% yield).

MS Method 2: RT 1.10 min, ES⁺ m/z 249 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ/ppm: 9.29 (s, 1H), 8.98 (s, 1H), 8.93-8.97(bs, 1H), 8.58-8.60 (dd, J=2.4, 0.7 Hz, 1H), 8.39-8.42 (d, J=8.7 Hz,1H), 7.97-8.01 (dd, J=8.7, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 4.27 (s, 2H).

Example 1:N-(5-pyrimidin-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide

To a round bottomed flask was added2-chloro-N-(5-pyrimidin-5-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide (64 mg, 0.26 mmol), DMF(2 mL) and potassium carbonate (71.14 mg, 0.5100 mmol), to the brownsuspension was added 4-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine(60.35 mg, 0.2800 mmol) and stirred at RT for 1 hour, a small amount ofproduct was seen, the reaction was heated to 50° C. overnight. Analysisby LCMS showed the reaction was complete. The reaction was partitionedbetween water and EtOAc. The organic layer was then washed with brine,concentrated and then dissolved into a 8:1:1 DMSO: water MeCN mixture(15 mg/0.75 ml) and purified by preparatory LCMS.

The resulting fraction were combined, concentrated and dried overnightin the vacuum oven affordingN-(5-pyrimidin-5-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide(29.9 mg, 0.07 mmol, 27.31% yield).

MS Method 1: RT: 2.85 min, ES⁺ m/z 426.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ/ppm: 11.20 (s, 1H), 9.22 (s, 2H), 9.21 (s, 1H),8.85-8.87 (dd, J=2.4, 0.6 Hz, 1H), 8.69-8.71 (d, J=5.1, 1H), 8.29-8.33(dd, J=8.7, 2.4, 1H), 8.16-8.19 (m, 3H), 7.99-8.22 (dd, J=5.1, 1.0 Hz,1H), 7.88-7.90 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 5.14 (s, 2H).

Biaryl Aloha-Chloroacetamide: Synthesis B—Step 1 Intermediate 6:2-(5-nitro-2-pyridyl)pyrazine

To a microwave vial was added 2-bromo-5-nitropyridine (800 mg, 3.94mmol), triphenylphosphine (103.37 mg, 0.39 mmol),(tributylstannyl)-pyrazine (1.00 mL, 3.17 mmol) and toluene (8 mL), thereaction mixture was degassed with nitrogen for 10 minutes before theaddition of Palladium(II) acetate (88.48 mg, 0.39 mmol). The reactionwas degassed again and then heated in the microwave for 2 hours at 130°C. The reaction was partitioned between water and EtOAc, the organiclayer was washed several times with water, and brine. The organic layerwas dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and concentrated. The resultingresidue was taken up in DCM and filtered to remove solids. The resultingresidue from concentration of the filtrate was purified by flash columnchromatography (40 g SiO₂, eluted with 0-70% EtOAc in heptane).Fractions 23-33 were combined and concentrated. The orange solid wasthen triturated with EtOH affording 2-(5-nitro-2-pyridyl)pyrazine (114mg, 0.5639 mmol, 17.79% yield)

MS Method 2: RT: 1.38 min, ES⁻ m/z 202.9 [M−H]⁻

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ/ppm: 9.61-9.63 (d, J=1.4 Hz, 1H), 9.51-9.56 (m,1H), 8.76-8.89 (m, 3H), 8.58-8.62 (dd, J=8.8, 0.7 Hz, 1H).

Biaryl Alpha-Chloroacetamide: Synthesis B—Step 2 Intermediate 7:6-pyrazin-2-ylpyridin-3-amine

A round bottomed flask was charged with 2-(5-nitro-2-pyridyl)pyrazine(114 mg, 0.56 mmol) and methanol (5.64 mL). The mixture was purged andevacuated with nitrogen, to the reaction was added palladium, 10 wt. %on carbon powder, wet (60.02 mg) and the system was purged and evacuatedagain. A hydrogen balloon was then added and the reaction was stirredovernight at room temperature. Analysis by LCMS showed partialhydrogenation, the above procedure was repeated and further palladium,10 wt. % on carbon powder, wet (60.02 mg) was added along with morehydrogen and stirred overnight at room temperature. Analysis by LCMSshowed the reaction was complete. The mixture was filtered throughcelite and the filtrate was loaded directly onto a methanol primed SCXcartridge. The cartridge was eluted with methanol (3CV) and 1M ammoniain methanol (3CV). The ammonia flush was then concentrated, an ethanoltrituration was attempted on the product however this failed to clean upthe product, 6-pyrazin-2-ylpyridin-3-amine (113 mg, 0.66 mmol, 116%yield) taken on crude.

MS Method 2: RT: 0.45 min, ES⁺ m/z 173.2 [M+H]⁺

Biaryl Alpha-Chloroacetamide: Synthesis B—Step 3 Intermediate 8:2-chloro-N-(6-pyrazin-2-yl-3-pyridyl)acetamide

To an orange suspension of 6-pyrazin-2-ylpyridin-3-amine (113 mg, 0.66mmol), THF (2.19 mL) and N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.23 mL, 1.31 mmol)was added dropwise chloroacetyl chloride (0.05 mL, 0.66 mmol) at 0° C.and then allowed to reach room temperature. The suspension turned blackand a large exotherm was given off. The reaction was then concentrated.The resulting residue was purified by flash column chromatography (12 gSiO₂, 0-100% EtOAc then 0-20% MeOH in EtOAc). Fractions 23-28 werecombined and concentrated to give a brown solid2-chloro-N-(6-pyrazin-2-yl-3-pyridyl)acetamide (60 mg, 0.24 mmol, 36.76%yield)

MS Method 2: RT: 1.19 min, ES⁺ m/z 249.0 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, MeOD) δ/ppm: 9.50-9.51 (d, J=1.5 Hz, 1H), 8.91-8.92 (m,1H), 8.68-8.70 (dd, J=2.6, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 8.59-8.61 (d, J=2.6 Hz, 1H),8.38-8.42 (m, 1H), 8.27-8.31 (dd, J=8.7, 2.7 Hz, 1H), 4.88 (s, 2H).

Example 2:N-(6-pyrazin-2-yl-3-pyridyl)-2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide

To a round bottomed flask was added2-chloro-N-(6-pyrazin-2-yl-3-pyridyl)acetamide (60 mg, 0.24 mmol), DMF(2 mL) and potassium carbonate (66.7 mg, 0.48 mmol), to the brownsuspension was added 4-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine(56.58 mg, 0.27 mmol) and the reaction was heated to 50° C. for 3 hours.Analysis by TLC showed a small amount of starting material present andmainly product. The reaction was cooled and diluted with EtOAc andwater. The organic layer was washed several times with water. Theorganic layer was then dried over sodium sulphate, filtered andconcentrated. The resulting yellow residue was purified by preparatoryLCMS. The resulting fractions were loaded onto a MeOH primed SCXcartridge which was eluted with methanol (3CV) and then 1M Ammonia inMethanol, the ammonia flush was then concentrated and analysed howeverthe product was still not clean enough. The resulting solid wasrecrystallized from EtOH. The resulting solid was dried in a vacuum ovenat 40° C. overnight yieldingN-(6-pyrazin-2-yl-3-pyridyl)-2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide(19.7 mg, 0.046 mmol, 19.19% yield).

MS Method 1: RT: 3.05 min, ES⁺ m/z 426.2 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ/ppm: 108.86-10.91 (bs, 1H), 9.49-9.50 (d, J=1.5Hz, 1H), 8.92-8.94 (m, 1H), 8.67-8.73 (m, 3H), 8.35-8.38 (d, J=8.6 Hz,1H), 8.25-8.28 (dd, J=8.7, 2.6 Hz, 1H), 8.16-8.19 (m, 2H), 7.99-8.02 (m,1H), 7.89-7.90 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 5.11 (s, 2H).

Example 3

The following compounds were prepared using biaryl alpha-chloroacetamidesynthesis A in an analogous manner, varying the arylhalide and/orarylboronate used.

LCMS RT m/z Structure STRUCTURE NAME (min) MIM

N-(5-pyrimidin-4-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4- [2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide 3.00 (Method 1) 426.2

N-(5-pyrimidin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4- [2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide 3.19 (Method 1) 426.4

N-(6-pyrimidin-5-yl-3-pyridyl)-2-[4- [2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide 2.84 (Method 1) 426.1

N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4- [2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide 3.03 (Method 1) 426.3

N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2[4- (4-pyridyl)imidazol-1-yl]acetamide1.96 (Method 1) 358.1

2-[4-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)imidazol- 1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 0.97 (Method 2) 372.3

Monoaryl Alpha-Chloroacetamide: Synthesis A

The steps within General Scheme 2 shown above may be performed in theorder shown above or in a different order. For example, as the skilledperson would appreciate, the Suzuki coupling could be carried out aftercoupling with the monoaryl alpha-chloroacetamide. Protecting groups maybe present or absent as necessary. For example a nitrogen atom may beprotected or unprotected.

Intermediate 9: 4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine

A microwave vial was charged with 1,4-Dioxane (10 mL) and Water (3 mL)which was degassed with nitrogen for −10 mins. To this was added4-Iodo-2-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (500 mg, 1.83 mmol), tert-butyl4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-1-carboxylate(808 mg, 2.75 mmol) and potassium carbonate (506 mg, 3.66 mmol) followedby [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]Palladium(II) chloridedichloromethane complex (149 mg, 0.1800 mmol). The vessel was thensealed, flushed with nitrogen and irradiated for 1 hour at 110° C. LC-MSafter this time showed conversion to the deprotected product and nostarting material remaining, so reaction was worked up.

The reaction mixture was concentrated to dryness then taken up in MeOH.This was loaded on to a 5 g SCX cartridge and washed through with ˜10CVof MeOH. The product was then eluted with 1M ammonia in MeOH (˜5CV). Theammonia wash was then concentrated to dryness, but did not yield thedesired product. The MeOH washes were then concentrated to dryness andthe remaining residue was triturated with chloroform. The resultingsuspension was sonicated and then filtered, washing with a littlechloroform, affording 4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine(384 mg, 1.80 mmol, 98.35% yield) as a beige solid.

MS Method 2: RT: 1.30 min, ES⁺ m/z 214.0 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, MeOD) δ/ppm: 8.66 (s, 1H), 8.34-8.38 (m, 2H), 8.08 (s,1H), 7.89-7.92 (m, 1H).

Example 4:N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide

A vial was charged with 2-chloro-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide(50 mg, 0.20 mmol), 4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (64mg, 0.30 mmol) and potassium carbonate (55 mg, 0.40 mmol) which wassuspended in DMF (1 mL). The vessel was then sealed, flushed withnitrogen, and left to stir at room temp overnight. LC-MS after this timeshowed complete consumption of starting material and a new peakcorresponding to the desired product. The reaction mixture was dilutedwith EtOAc and washed with water. The aqueous layer was then extractedwith EtOAc (×2). The organics were then combined, washed with brine,dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to dryness,affording an off-white solid. Purification by flash columnchromatography was performed, (12 g SiO₂, eluting with 50-100% EtOAc inheptane). The fractions containing product were combined andconcentrated to dryness, affording a white solid. LC-MS showed desiredproduct, the solid was further purified by prep-LCMS, the fractionscombined and concentrated to dryness and dried further in the vac ovenover night, givingN-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide(10 mg, 0.024 mmol, 11.69% yield) as a white solid.

MS Method 1: RT: 3.27 min, ES⁺ m/z 426.2 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ/ppm: 11.16-11.22 (bs, 1H), 9.31-9.33 (d, J=1.4Hz, 1H), 9.14-9.16 (d, J=2.4 Hz, 1H), 8.64-8.74 (m, 4H), 8.54-8.58 (dd,J=8.6, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 8.31 (s, 1H), 8.17-8.21 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 8.14 (s,1H), 7.92-7.95 (d, J=5.2 Hz, 1H), 5.24 (s, 2H).

Example 5:N-(5-Pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4-[2-(methyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamidewas prepared in an analogous fashion

MS Method 1: RT: 2.09 min, ES⁺ m/z 372.2 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ/ppm: 9.31-9.33 (d, J=1.5 Hz, 1H), 9.13-9.15(dd, J=2.5, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 8.72-8.74 (m, 1H), 8.64-8.65 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 1H),8.54-8.57 (dd, J—8.7, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 8.42-8.43 (d, J=0.7 Hz, 1H),8.37-8.39 (d, J=5.2 Hz, 1H), 8.17-8.2 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 8.10-8.11 (d,J=0.7 Hz, 1H), 7.47-7.51 (bs, 1H), 7.38-7.41 (dd, J=5.1, 1.2 Hz, 1H),5.25 (s, 2H). 2.5 (s, 3H).

Example 6

The following compounds were prepared using general scheme 2 varying thesubstitution on the pyrazole boronate ester and the aryl halide. Themethod of biaryl alpha-chloroacetamide synthesis A was used to preparethe coupling partner for the final step in an analogous manner, varyingthe arylhalide and/or aryl/vinylboronate used.

LCMS RT m/z Structure STRUCTURE NAME (min) MIM

N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4- [6-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 3.38 (Method 1) 426.2

N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4- (3-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide2.04 (Method 1) 358.1

2-[4-(6-methyl-3-pyridyl)pyrazol-1- yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 2.07 (Method 1) 372.1

2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2- (trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- pyridyl)acetamide 3.49 (Method 1) 454.1

2-[4-(2-cyano-4-pyridyl)pyrazol-1- yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 2.87 (Method 1) 383.1

2-[4-[2-(difluoromethyl)-4- pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 2.95 (Method 1) 408.1

2-[4-(2-methoxy-4-pyridyl)pyrazol- 1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 2.68 (Method 1) 388.1

2-[4-(4-methylthiazol-5-yl)pyrazol- 1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 2.72 (Method 1) 378.0

2-[4-(1-methyltriazol-4-yl)pyrazol- 1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 2.35 (Method 1) 362.1

2-[4-(2-methylpyrazol-3- yl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 2.60 (Method 1) 361.1

2-(4-isothiazol-4-ylpyrazol-1-yl)-N- (5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 2.79 (Method 1) 364.0

N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-(4- pyrimidin-5-ylpyrazol-1- yl)acetamide1.09 (Method 2) 359.1

2-[4-(2-methylthiazol-5-yl)pyrazol- 1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 2.78 (Method 1) 378.1

N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-(4- pyrimidin-4-ylpyrazol-1- yl)acetamide2.41 (Method 1) 359.0

2-[4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4- yl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 2.79 (Method 1) 363.1

N-(5-pyrimidin-5-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4- [2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 3.10 (Method 1) 426.1

2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2- (trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrimidin-5-yl-2- pyridyl)acetamide 3.32 454.2

2-[4-(3,5-dimethylisoxazol-4- yl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 2.91 376.1

N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4- [2-(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidin-4-yl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 3.31 427.2

2-[4-(2-methylpyrimidin-4- yl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 2.38 373.1

2-[4-(6-methylpyrimidin-4- yl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 2.47 373.0

N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4- [6-(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidin-4-yl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 3.25 427.0

2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-(2-methyl-4- pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 2.19 400.3

N-[5-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)- 2-pyridyl]-2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol- 1-yl]acetamide 3.66 458.1

2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-(2- methylpyrazol-3-yl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- pyridyl)acetamide 2.79 389.1

2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-(6- methylpyridazin-4-yl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- pyridyl)acetamide 2.37 401.1

2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2- (trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N-[5-(3-pyridyl)-2- pyridyl]acetamide 3.04 453.2

N-[5-(4-cyanophenyl)-2-pyridyl]-2- [3,5-dimethyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol- 1-yl]acetamide 4.04 477.2

2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2- (trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N-[5-(2-methylpyrazol-3-yl)- 2-pyridyl]acetamide 3.54 456.2

2-[3-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)- 4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 3.39 440.0

N-[5-(2-cyanophenyl)-2-pyridyl]-2- [3,5-dimethyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol- 1-yl]acetamide 4.02 477.2

2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2- (trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N-[5-(4-pyridyl)-2- pyridyl]acetamide 2.87 453.2

2-[4-(2-fluoro-4-pyridyl)-3,5- dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 3.11 404.1

N-[5-(6-cyano-3-pyridyl)-2- pyridyl]-2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol- 1-yl]acetamide 3.76 478.2

2-[4-methyl-3-[2-(trifluoromethyl)- 4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 3.61 440.0

2-[4-methyl-3-(2-methyl-4- pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 2.29 386.1

N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4- (1H-pyrazol-4-yl)pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 2.34 347.0

2-[4-(2-isopropylpyrazol-3- yl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 3.01 389.2

2-[4-(2-cyclopentylpyrazol-3- yl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 3.36 415.3

N-[5-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)- 2-pyridyl]-2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol- 1-yl]acetamide 3.67 458.1

Monoaryl Aloha-Chloroacetamide: Synthesis A—Step 1 Intermediate 10:tert-butyl 4-(6-nitro-3-pyridyl)piperazine-1-carboxylate

A microwave vial was charged with 5-chloro-2-nitropyridine (1 g, 6.31mmol), 1-boc-piperazine (1.29 g, 6.94 mmol) and potassium carbonate (3.3mL, 18.92 mmol), which was suspended in DMSO (15 mL). The resultingmixture was irradiated for 1 hour at 100° C. After this time, themixture had solidified. LC-MS showed the reaction had not gone tocompletion. The solid mixture was then transferred to a flask along withDMSO (5 mL) and heated to 110° C., at which point the solid mixture hadmelted. This was left heating overnight, after which LC-MS showedproduct formation and no starting material. Reaction was allowed tocool. The reaction mixture was then added to water and extracted withEtOAc (×3). The organics were then combined, washed with brine, driedover sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to dryness, affording anorange solid. Purification by flash column chromatography was thenperformed, (40 g SiO₂, eluting with 0-50% EtOAc in heptane). Thefractions containing product were combined and concentrated to dryness,affording tert-butyl 4-(6-nitro-3-pyridyl)piperazine-1-carboxylate (1.24g, 4.02 mmol, 63.81% yield) as a bright orange/yellow solid.

MS Method 2: RT: 1.61 min, ES⁺ m/z 309.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ/ppm: 8.10-8.13 (d, J=9.1 Hz, 1H), 8.06-8.07(d, J=3.0 Hz, 1H), 7.12-7.16 (dd, J=9.2, 3.0 Hz, 1H), 3.55-3.59 (m, 4H),3.36-3.41 (m, 4H), 1.42 (s, 9H).

Monoaryl Aloha-Chloroacetamide: Synthesis A—Step 2 Intermediate 11:tert-butyl 4-(6-aminopyridin-3-yl)piperazine-1-carboxylate

A flask was charged with tert-butyl4-(6-nitropyridin-3-yl)piperazine-1-carboxylate (1 g, 4 mmol) which wasdissolved in methanol (100 mL). The resulting solution was then degassedby evacuation and the vessel back-filled with nitrogen (repeated twice).Palladium, 10 wt. % on carbon powder, dry (42 mg, 0.40 mmol) was thenadded in one portion and the system closed and evacuated again,back-filling with hydrogen (repeated twice). This was left to stir atroom temp. After 4 hours, LC-MS showed the reaction was mostly complete,so the system was evacuated and back-filled with nitrogen (repeatedtwice), the solution filtered through celite and the filtrateconcentrated to dryness, affording a brown oily solid tert-butyl4-(6-aminopyridin-3-yl)piperazine-1-carboxylate (800 mg, 3.63 mmol,90.88% yield).

MS Method 2: RT: 1.22 min, ES⁺ m/z 279.2 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ/ppm: 7.70-7.71 (d, J=3.1 Hz, 1H), 7.08-7.11(d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.40-6.43 (dd, J=8.0, 3.1 Hz, 1H), 4.11-4.15 (bs,2H), 3.50-3.54 (m, 4H), 2.86-2.89 (m, 4H), 1.42 (s, 9H).

Monoaryl Aloha-Chloroacetamid: Synthesis A—Step 3 Intermediate 12:tert-butyl4-[6-[(2-chloroacetyl)amino]-3-pyridyl]piperazine-1-carboxylate

A flask was charged with tert-butyl4-(6-amino-3-pyridyl)piperazine-1-carboxylate (360 mg, 1.29 mmol) andpotassium carbonate (357.5 mg, 2.59 mmol) which was suspended in1,4-Dioxane (5 mL). Once the organic components had dissolved, thevessel was put under a nitrogen atmosphere and chloroacetyl chloride(0.15 mL, 1.94 mmol) was added to the stirring solution at room temp.This was left to stir overnight. LC-MS after this time showed conversionto the desired product and a peak that corresponded to startingmaterial, but appeared at a slightly lower retention time. Anotherequivalent of acid chloride was added and the reaction left to stir atroom temp for another hour. Methanol was added to the reaction mixtureto quench any excess acid chloride and the resulting mixture wasconcentrated to dryness. The residue was then partitioned between waterand EtOAc. The layers were then separated and the organics were washedwith water, then with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered andconcentrated to dryness, affording a dark purple solid. Furtherpurification by flash column chromatography was performed (25 g SiO₂,eluting with 50-60% EtOAc in heptane). Fractions collected were combinedand concentrated to dryness, affording tert-butyl4-[6-[(2-chloroacetyl)amino]-3-pyridyl]piperazine-1-carboxylate (265 mg,0.75 mmol, 57.74% yield) as a pink/purple solid.

MS Method 2: RT: 1.57 min, ES⁺ m/z 355.9 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ/ppm: 8.61 (s, 1H) 7.97-8.02 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H),7.90-7.92 (d, J=2.6 Hz, 1H), 7.20-7.25 (dd, J=9.0, 2.5 Hz, 1H), 4.15 (s,2H), 3.51-3.55 (m, 4H), 3.04-3.07 (m, 4H), 1.42 (s, 9H).

Example 7: tert-butyl4-[6-[[2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetyl]amino]-3-pyridyl]piperazine-1-carboxylate

A vial was charged with tert-butyl4-[6-[(2-chloroacetyl)amino]-3-pyridyl]piperazine-1-carboxylate (40 mg,0.11 mmol) and potassium carbonate (31.16 mg, 0.23 mmol) which was takenup in DMF (1 mL). The solution was set stirring and4-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (36.04 mg, 0.17 mmol)was then added. The vial was then sealed, flushed with nitrogen, andleft to stir at room temp over the weekend. LC-MS after this time showedconversion to the desired product and some starting material remaining(the excess), so reaction was worked up.

The reaction mixture was diluted with water and extracted with EtOAc(×2). The organics were then combined, washed with brine, dried oversodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to dryness, affording alightly purple residue. This was dryloaded on to silica gel and purifiedby flash column chromatography, (12 g SiO₂, eluting with 50-100% EtOAcin heptane. The fractions were combined and concentrated to dryness,affording a white solid. Further purification via prep-LCMS yieldedtert-butyl4-[6-[[2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetyl]amino]-3-pyridyl]piperazine-1-carboxylate(18 mg, 0.034 mmol, 29.74% yield) as a white solid.

MS Method 1: RT: 3.73 min, ES⁺ m/z 532.2 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ/ppm: 8.68-8.71 (d, J=5.1 Hz 1H) 8.01-8.09 (m,2H), 7.81-7.95 (m, 2H), 7.69 (s, 1H), 7.58 (s, 1H), 7.27-7.29 (m, 1H),4.85 (s, 2H), 3.53-3.64 (m, 4H), 3.08-3.14 (m, 4H), 1.47 (s, 9H).

Example 8

The following compounds were prepared using monoarylalpha-chloroacetamide synthesis A in an analogous manner, varying thenon-aromatic group, or the aryl substituted pyrazole or imidazole (fromGeneral Scheme 1 or 2) accordingly:

LCMS RT m/z Structure STRUCTURE NAME (min) MIM

tert-butyl 4-[6-[[2-[4-(2-methyl-4- pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]acetyl]amino]-3- pyridyl]piperazine-1-carboxylate 2.81 (Method 1)478.3

N-[5-(4-acetylpiperazin-1-yl)-2- pyridyl]-2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 3.00 (Method 1) 473.2

N-[5-(4-acetylpiperazin-1-yl)-2- pyridyl]-2-[4-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 1.94 (Method 1) 420.2

N-[5-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-2- pyridyl]-2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 2.51 (Method 1) 446.2

tert-butyl 4-[6-[[2-[4-[2- (trifluoromethyl)-4- pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetyl]amino]-3- pyridyl]piperazine-1-carboxylate 3.73 (Method 1)532.2

N-[5-(4-acetylpiperazin-1-yl)-2- pyridyl]-2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide 2.77 (Method 1) 474.2

N-[5-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-2- pyridyl]-2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide 2.27 (Method 1) 446.2

Intermediate 13:2-[(4-iodo-5-methyl-imidazol-1-yl)methoxy]ethyl-trimethylsilane

To a stirred solution of 4-Iodo-5-methyl-1H-imidazole (5 g, 24 mmol) inTHF (100 mL) cooled to 0° C. was added sodium hydride (60% dispersed inmineral oil) (1.06 g, 26 mmol), the resulting suspension was stirred for1 hr at this temperature. 2-(Trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl chloride (4.25mL, 24 mmol) was added slowly and the solution was allowed to warm toroom temperature overnight. Further Sodium hydride (60% dispersed inmineral oil) (0.5 eq) was added and the solution was stirred for 1.5 hr.A small amount of water was added before the solution was concentratedin vacuo. Water and DCM were added and the solution partitioned. Theaqueous layer was washed with further DCM (×2) before the combinedorganics were passed through a phase separator and concentrated todryness in vacuo to afford a dark yellow oil. The residue was dissolvedin DCM and purified by flash column chromatography (80 g SiO₂, 0-50%EtOAc in Heptane). TLC still showed both regioisomers together in allfractions so the fractions were concentrated to dryness in vacuo toafford 2-[(4-iodo-5-methyl-imidazol-1-yl)methoxy]ethyl-trimethyl-silaneand 2-[(5-iodo-4-methyl-imidazol-1-yl)methoxy]ethyl-trimethyl-silane ina ratio of 1:0.6 in favour of the title product (5.59 g, 17 mmol, 69%yield) as a yellow oil.

MS Method 2: RT: 1.44 min, ES⁺ m/z 339.1 [M+H]⁺ and 1.84 min, ES⁺ m/z339.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ/ppm: 7.73 (s, 1H, minor), 7.49 (s, 1H, major),5.22 (s, 2H, both regioisomers), 3.40-3.50 (m, 2H, both regioisomers),2.27 (s, 3H, major), 2.26 (s, 3H, minor), 0.85-0.93 (m, 2H, bothregioisomers), 0.03 (s, 9H, both regioisomers).

Intermediate 14:trimethyl-[2-[[5-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]methoxy]ethyl]silane

A stirred solution of2-[(5-iodo-4-methyl-imidazol-1-yl)methoxy]ethyltrimethyl-silane (1 g,2.96 mmol) and [2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]boronic acid (847 mg, 4.43mmol) in monoglyme (18 mL) was degassed and back filled with N₂ (×3). Tothis was added potassium phosphate (tribasic) (1.88 g, 8.87 mmol) inWater (9 mL) followed by Tricyclohexylphosphine (166 mg, 0.59 mmol) andtris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium (0) (271 mg, 0.30 mmol) before theresulting solution was degassed and back filled with N₂ (×3) then heatedto 90° C. and stirred at this temperature overnight. The solution wasallowed to cool to room temperature. The mixture was filtered though apad of celite before being concentrated to dryness in vacuo to affordthe crude as a thick brown oil. The residue was dissolved in the minimumamount of DCM and purified by flash column chromatography (80 g SiO₂,0-100% EtOAc in heptane). Like fractions were identified, combined andconcentrated to dryness in vacuo to affordtrimethyl-[2-[[5-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]methoxy]ethyl]silane(478 mg, 1.34 mmol, 45% yield) as a single regioisomer and yellow oilwhich solidified on standing.

MS Method 2: RT: 1.90 min, ES⁺ m/z 358.2 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ/ppm: 8.70-8.72 (d, J=5.1 Hz, 1H) 8.05 (s, 1H),7.76, 7.80 (dd, J=5.1, 2.6 Hz 1H), 7.61 (s, 1H), 5.29 (s, 2H), 3.50-3.57(m, 2H), 2.27 (s, 3H, major), 2.55 (s, 3H), 0.90-0.96 (m, 2H), 0.00 (s,9H).

Intermediate 1:4-(5-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine

To a stirred solution oftrimethyl-[2-[[5-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]methoxy]ethyl]silane(1.57 g, 4.4 mmol) in DCM (25 mL) was added trifluoroacetic acid (16 mL,209 mmol) and the resulting solution stirred at RT overnight. Thesolution was concentrated to dryness in vacuo before being dissolved inMeOH and loaded onto a MeOH primed 10 g SCX cartridge, washing with MeOHand eluting with 1M NH₃ solution. The ammonia MeOH solution wasconcentrated to dryness in vacuo to afford4-(5-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (950 mg, 4.18mmol, 94% yield) as a pale yellow powder.

MS Method 2: RT: 1.07 min, ES⁺ m/z 228.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, MeOD) δ/ppm: 8.67-8.68 (d, J=5.2 Hz, 1H), 8.10 (s, 1H),7.88 (s, 1H), 7.74 (s, 1H), 2.57 (s, 3H).

Intermediate 16: 2-fluoro-4-(5-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)pyridine

2-Fluoro-4-(5-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)pyridine was prepared in ananalogous manner.

MS Method 2: RT: 0.72 min, ES⁺ m/z 178.0 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, MeOD) δ/ppm: 8.18-8.20 (d, J=5.2 Hz, 1H), 7.73 (s, 1H),7.56-7.60 (dt, J=1.7, 5.6 Hz, 1H), 7.29 (s, 1H), 2.54 (s, 3H).

Intermediate 17:2-[5-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetate

Under N₂ to a stirred solution of4-(5-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (950 mg, 4.18mmol) in MeCN (30 mL) was added potassium carbonate (1.73 g, 12.6 mmol)and ethyl bromoacetate (0.56 mL, 5.02 mmol) before the resultingsolution was heated to 80° C. and stirred at this temperature for 1 hr.The solution was allowed to cool to room temperature and stirredovernight. The solution was filtered with the solid being washed withMeCN before the filtrate was concentrated to dryness in vacuo to affordthe crude as a dark yellow crystalline solid. The residue was dissolvedin DCM and purified by flash column chromatography (40 g SiO₂, 40-100%EtOAc in heptane). Appropriate fractions were identified, combined andconcentrated to dryness in vacuo to afford ethyl2-[5-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetate (1.12g, 3.57 mmol, 85% yield) as a pale yellow crystalline solid.

MS Method 2: RT: 1.50 min, ES⁺ m/z 314.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ/ppm: 8.72-8.34 (d, J=4.8 Hz, 1H), 8.06 (s,1H), 7.79-7.80 (d, J=4.8 Hz, 1H), 7.58 (s, 1H), 4.71 (s, 2H), 4.29-4.34(q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 2.36 (s, 3H) 1.32-1.36 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H).

Intermediate 18: tert-butyl2-[4-(2-fluoro-4-pyridyl)-1-methyl-imidazol-1-yl]acetate

A flask was charged with 2-fluoro-4-(5-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)pyridine(100 mg, 0.56 mmol) and cesium carbonate (276 mg, 0.85 mmol) which weresuspended in acetone (2.5 mL). tert-Butyl 2-bromoacetate (0.09 mL, 0.62mmol) was then added and the reaction heated to 50° C. for 1 hour, thencooled to room temp. The reaction mixture was then diluted with moreacetone and passed through a phase separator. The filter cake was washedwith acetone and the resulting fitrate then concentrated to dryness,giving tert-butyl2-[4-(2-fluoro-4-pyridyl)-5-methyl-imidazol-1-yl]acetate (160 mg, 0.55mmol, 97% yield) as a yellow solid.

MS Method 2: RT: 1.41 min, ES⁺ m/z 292.1 [M+H]⁺

Intermediate 19:2-[5-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetic acid

To a stirred solution of ethyl2-[5-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetate (1.12g, 3.57 mmol) in ethanol (27 mL) was added lithium hydroxide (231 mg,9.64 mmol) in water (2.7 mL) before the resulting solution was stirredat room temperature overnight.

LCMS indicated complete conversion to product. The solution wasconcentrated to dryness in vacuo to afford lithium2-[5-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetate (1.04g, 3.57 mmol, 99.% yield) as an off white powder. The material was usedas is in the next step.

MS Method 2: RT: 1.09 min, ES⁺ m/z 286.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ/ppm: 8.65-8.67 (d, J=5.2 Hz, 1H), 8.05 (s, 1H),7.86-7.89 (d, J=5.2 Hz, 1H), 7.60 (s, 1H), 4.19 (s, 2H), 2.36 (s, 3H).

Intermediate 20: 2-[4-(2-fluoro-4-pyridyl)-6-methyl-imidazol-1-yl]aceticacid

A flask was charged with tert-butyl2-[4-(2-fluoro-4-pyridyl)-5-methyl-imidazol-1-yl]acetate (160 mg, 0.55mmol) which was taken up in Hydrogen Chloride (4M in dioxane) (3 mL, 12mmol). The reaction mixture was then left to stir overnight at roomtemp. A precipitate had formed after this time. The reaction wasconcentrated to dryness, giving2-[4-(2-fluoro-4-pyridyl)-5-methyl-imidazol-1-yl]acetic acid (150 mg,0.6377 mmol, 116.12% yield) as a yellow solid which turned darker afterstanding in air.

MS Method 2: RT: 0.67 min, ES⁺ m/z 236.0 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, MeOD) δ/ppm: 9.17 (s, 1H), 8.42-8.44 (d, J=5.2 Hz, 1H),7.56-7.58 (dt, J=1.7, 5.2 Hz, 1H), 7.36 (s, 1H), 5.24 (s, 2H), 2.52 (s,3H).

Intermediate 21: pyrazin-2-ylpyridin-2-amine

5-pyrazin-2-ylpyridin-2-amine was prepared in an analogous manner tothat described for intermediate 4 in Biaryl alpha-chloroacetamide:Synthesis A—Step 1.

MS Method 2: RT: 0.42 min, ES⁺ m/z 173.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ/ppm: 9.11-9.22 (d, J=1.6 Hz, 1H), 8.72-8.73(dd, J=0.4, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 8.59-8.60 (dd, J=1.6, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 8.45-8.61(d, J=2.4 Hz, 1H), 8.10-8.13 (dd, J=2.4, 8.4 Hz, 1H), 6.55-6.57 (dd,J=0.8, 8.8 Hz, 1H), 6.41-6.44 (bs, 2H).

Example 9:2-[5-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide

To a stirred solution of lithium2-[5-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetate (1.04g, 3.57 mmol) and 5-pyrazin-2-ylpyridin-2-amine (738 mg, 4.29 mmol) inTHF (35 mL) was added N,N-diisopropylethylamine (1.58 mL, 8.93 mmol) andpropylphosphonic anhydride (6.38 mL, 10.7 mmol) and the resultingsolution heated to 70° C. Reaction was monitored by LCMS and after 2 hrsfurther propylphosphonic anhydride (2.13 mL, 3.57 mmol) andN,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.6 mL) were added the solution was allowedto cool to room temperature and stirred over the weekend. The solutionwas diluted with water and EtOAc and partitioned. The aqueous was washedwith EtOAc (×2) before the combined organics were washed with brine.Product precipitated and was isolated by filtration and loaded onto aMeOH primed 10 g SCX cartridge, washing with MeOH and eluting with 1MNH₃ MeOH solution. The ammonia methanol solution was concentrated todryness in vacuo to afford an off white solid which was then dried in avacuum oven for 2 hrs. The organics were separated from the filtrate,dried (sodium sulphate), filtered and concentrated to dryness in vacuoto afford a light brown foam containing product of ˜95% purity. This wasdissolved in DCM and purified by flash column chromatography (25 g SiO₂,70-100% EtOAc in heptane, then 0-5% MeOH/EtOAc). Appropriate fractionswere combined and concentrated to dryness in vacuo to afford an offwhite solid. The solids were combined to give2-[5-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide(1.22 g, 2.77 mmol, 78% yield) as an off white solid.

MS Method 2: RT: 1.45 min, ES⁺ m/z 440.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ/ppm: 11.27 (bs, 1H), 9.32-9.33 (d, J=1.6 Hz,1H), 8.70-8.75 (m, 2H), 8.64-8.65 (d, J=2.4 Hz, 1H), 8.54-8.58 (dd,J=2.4, 8.8 Hz, 1H), 8.17-8.19 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 8.09 (s, 1H), 7.92-7.94(d, J=4.4 Hz, 1H), 7.85 (s, 1H), 5.12 (s, 2H), 2.45 (s, 3H).

The compound of Example 9 could also be made by the procedure outlinedin General Scheme 1.

Example 10:2-[4-(2-fluoro-4-pyridyl)-1-methyl-imidazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide

A flask was charged with2-[4-(2-fluoro-4-pyridyl)-5-methyl-imidazol-1-yl]acetic acid (125 mg,0.53 mmol) and 5-pyrazin-2-ylpyridin-2-amine (110 mg, 0.64 mmol) whichwere taken up in dry THF (2.5 mL). N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.46 mL,2.66 mmol) was then added, followed by propylphosphonic anhydride (0.63mL, 1.06 mmol). The resulting mixture was then heated to reflux for 2hours then allowed to cool to room temp. The reaction mixture wasconcentrated to dryness, giving a brown oil. This was then dry-loaded onto silica gel and purified by flash chromatography, (12 g SiO2, elutingwith 0-10% MeOH in EtOAc. Fractions containing desired compound werecombined and concentrated to dryness, giving an off-white solid. Thiswas then dry-loaded on to celite and further purified by reverse-phasechromatography, (12 g C-18 column, eluting with 5-40% MeCN in water+0.1%formic acid additive). Fractions containing desired compound werecombined and concentrated to dryness, giving2-[4-(2-fluoro-4-pyridyl)-5-methyl-imidazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide(86 mg, 0.22 mmol, 41% yield) as a white solid.

MS Method 2: RT: 1.20 min, ES⁺ m/z 390.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ/ppm: 11.26 (bs, 1H), 9.32-9.33 (d, J=1.4 Hz,1H), 9.14-9.15 (d, J=1.8 Hz 1H) 8.72-8.74 (m, 1H), 8.64-8.65 (d, J=2.5Hz, 1H), 8.54-8.57 (dd, J=2.4, 8.8 Hz), 8.17-8.21 (m, 2H), 7.81 (s, 1H),7.61-7.63 (m, 1H), 7.32 (m, 1H), 5.09 (s, 2H), 2.42 (s, 3H).

Example 11

The following compounds were prepared by analogy with examples 9 and 10following general route 3, varying the substitution on the iodoimidazole and the aryl boronate ester. The method of biarylalpha-chloroacetamide synthesis A was used to prepare the couplingpartner for the final step, varying the arylhalide and/or arylboronateused.

LCMS RT m/z Structure STRUCTURE NAME (min) MIM

2-[2-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)- 4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 2.77 (Method 1) 440.1

2-[2,5-dimethyl-4-[2- (trifluoromethyl)-4- pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 2.71 (Method 1) 454.2

2-[2,5-dimethyl-4-(2-methyl-4- pyridyl)imidazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 2.07 (Method 1) 400.2

2-[5-methyl-4-(2-methyl-4- pyridyl)imidazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 2.10 (Method 1) 386.2

2-[5-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)- 4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrimidin-5-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 2.76 (Method 1) 440.1

2-[5-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)- 4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrimidin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 3.05 (Method 1) 440.1

N-[5-(6-cyano-3-pyridyl)-2- pyridyl]-2-[5-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4- pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide 3.24 (Method 1)464.1

N-[5-(4-cyanophenyl)-2-pyridyl]-2- [5-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide 3.57 (Method 1) 463.2

2-[5-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)- 4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]-N-[5-(3-pyridyl)-2-pyridyl]acetamide 2.58 (Method 1) 439.1

N-[5-(2-cyano-4-pyridyl)-2- pyridyl]-2-[5-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4- pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide 3.29 (Method 1)464.2

2-[5-methyl-4-(2-methylpyrazol-3- yl)imidazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 2.37 (Method 1) 375.2

Aryl Pyrazoles starting materials were prepared according to the methoddescribed previously as illustrated in general scheme 2, varying thesubstitution on the pyrazole boronate ester and the aryl halide. Themethod of biaryl alpha-chloroacetamide synthesis A was used to preparethe coupling partner for the final step, varying the arylhalide and/orarylboronate used.

Intermediate 22:2-[4-(2-cyclopentylpyrazol-3-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]acetate

Ethyl bromoacetate (0.02 mL, 0.17 mmol),4-(2-cyclopentylpyrazol-3-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole (35.7 mg, 0.16mmol) and caesium carbonate (95.3 mg, 0.47 mmol) were added to Acetone(4 mL) forming a suspension. The flask was then heated to reflux andleft to stir overnight.

The precipitate was filtered off, the filtrate was evaporated todryness. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc and dried over sodiumsulphate. The solvent was evaporated, affording ethyl2-[4-(2-cyclopentylpyrazol-3-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]acetate (51.2mg, 0.16 mmol, 100% yield) as a yellow oil. The product was used withoutany further purification.

MS Method 2: RT: 1.71 min, ES⁺ m/z 317.0 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ/ppm: 7.43 (s, 1H), 7.73 (s, 1H), 6.25 (s, 1H),4.81 (s, 2H), 4.65-4.67 (m, 1H), 4.21-4.25 (q, J=6.9 Hz, 2H), 2.39 (s,3H), 2.36 (s, 3H), 2.04-2.18 (m, 4H), 1.85-1.91 (m, 2H), 1.66-1.71 (m,2H), 1.21-1.24 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 3H).

Intermediate 23:2-[4-(2-cyclopentylpyrazol-3-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]acetic

Ethyl 2-[4-(2-cyclopentylpyrazol-3-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]acetate(51.2 mg, 0.16 mmol) was dissolved in ethanol (3 mL), lithium hydroxide(10.46 mg, 0.44 mmol) in water (0.30 mL) was added and the reaction wasstirred at RT for 1 h. The mixture was acidified by using a 1M HClsolution. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was taken up intoEtOAc and washed with brine. The organic phase was separated and diredover Na₂SO₄. Evaporation of the solvent afforded2-[4-(2-cyclopentylpyrazol-3-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]acetic acid(40.4 mg, 0.14 mmol, 87% yield) as a yellow oil which crystallized onstanding.

MS Method 2: RT: 1.66 min, ES⁺ m/z 308.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ/ppm: 7.46 (s, 1H), 6.24 (s, 1H), 4.81 (s, 2H),4.66-4.69 (m, 1H), 3.50-4.20 (bs, 1H), 2.39 (s, 3H), 2.37 (s, 3H),2.13-2.21 (m, 2H), 2.00-2.10 (m, 2H), 1.89-1.99 (m, 2H), 1.66-1.71 (m,2H).

Example 12:2-[4-(2-cyclopentylpyrazol-3-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide

A stirred solution of2-[4-(2-cyclopentylpyrazol-3-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]acetic acid(40.4 mg, 0.14 mmol), 5-pyrazin-2-ylpyridin-2-amine (24.13 mg, 0.1400mmol), propylphosphonic anhydride (0.13 mL, 0.2100 mmol) andN,N-Diisopropylethylamine (0.06 mL, 0.35 mmol) in THF (5 mL) was heatedto reflux overnight. LCMS indicated complete conversion to product. TheTHF was removed in vacuo then EtOAc and water were added to the mixtureand the layers separated. The organic layer was washed with water thenbrine, dried, then concentrated in vacuo to afford a yellow gum, thatwas purified by LC (50-100% EtOAc in Heptane) to afford2-[4-(2-cyclopentylpyrazol-3-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide(5.9 mg, 0.01 mmol, 10% yield).

MS Method 2: RT: 1.62 min, ES⁺ m/z 433.3 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ/ppm: 11.03 (s, 1H), 9.31-9.33 (d, J=1.4 Hz,1H), 9.13-9.14 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 8.71-8.75 (m, 1H), 8.62-8.43 (d, J=1Hz, 1H), 8.53-8.57 (dd, J=2.4, 8.7 Hz, 1H), 8.17-8.20 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H),7.75-7.78 (d, J=2.24 Hz, 1H), 6.28-6.29 (d, J=2.4 Hz, 1H), 5.06 (s, 2H),4.66-4.75 (q, J=6.7 Hz, 1H), 2.38 (s, 3H), 2.24 (s, 3H), 1.91-2.13 (m,4H), 1.77-1.83 (m, 2H), 1.62-1.69 (m, 2H).

Example 13

Further examples were prepared following general scheme 4 varying thesubstitution on the pyrazole boronate ester and the aryl halide. Themethod of biaryl alpha-chloroacetamide synthesis A was used to preparethe coupling partner for the final step, varying the arylhalide and/orarylboronate used.

LCMS m/z Structure Structure Name (min) MIM

2-[4-(6-chloropyridazin-3-yl)- 3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- pyridyl)acetamide 2.96 (Method 1) 421.1/ 423.2

2-[4-(6-chloropyrimidin-4-yl)- 3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- pyridyl)acetamide 3.19 (Method 1) 421.0/ 422.9

2-[4-(1-cyclopropylpyrazol-4- yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- pyridyl)acetamide 2.98 (Method 1) 415.3

2-[4-(1-isopropylpyrazol-4-yl)- 3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- pyridyl)acetamide 3.09 (Method 1) 417.2

2-[4-(6-methoxy-3-pyridyl)- 3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- pyridyl)acetamide 3.23 (Method 1) 416.3

2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2- (trifluoromethyl)-4- pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrimidin-2-yl-2- pyridyl)acetamide 3.60 (Method 1) 454.2

2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[1-methyl- 3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazol-4-yl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin- 2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 3.31 (Method 1)457.1

N-[5-(2-cyano-4-pyridyl)-2- pyridyl]-2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4- pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl] acetamide 3.75 (Method 1)478.2

2-[4-(5-methoxy-2-pyridyl)- 3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- pyridyl)acetamide 2.54 (Method 1) 416.2

2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2- (trifluoromethyl)-4- pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(3-fluoro-5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- pyridyl)acetamide 3.37 (Method 1) 472.0

2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2- (trifluoromethyl)-4- pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(3-methyl-5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- pyridyl)acetamide 3.31 (Method 1) 468.2

2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2- (trifluoromethyl)-4- pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(3-methoxy-5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- pyridyl)acetamide 3.33 (Method 1) 484.2

2-[4-[6-(dimethylamino)-2- (trifluoromethyl)pyrimidin-4-yl]-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1- yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- pyridyl)acetamide3.97 (Method 1) 498.3

2-[4-(2-amino-4-pyridyl)-3,5- dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- pyridyl)acetamide 2.19 (Method 1) 401.1

N-(3-cyano-5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- pyridyl)-2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4- pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl] acetamide 3.41 (Method 1)479.1

2-[3-methyl-4-(2-methyl-4- pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5- pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 2.20 (Method 1) 386.2

2-[3-methyl-4-(2-methyl-4- pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5- pyrimidin-5-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 2.07 (Method 1) 386.2

2-[3-methyl-4-[2- (trifluoromethyl)-4- pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrimidin-5-yl-2- pyridyl)acetamide 3.22 (Method 1) 440.2

N-[5-[2-(dimethylamino)-4- pyridyl]-2-pyridyl]-2-[3-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoro- methyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol- 1-yl]acetamide 2.93(Method 1) 482.3

N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)- 2-[3-(trifluoromethyl)-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4- pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl] acetamide 3.97 (Method 1)494.2

N-[5-(6-methoxy-3-pyridyl)- 2-pyridyl]-2-[3-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4- pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl] acetamide 1.28 (Method 2)482.3

N-[5-[6-(dimethylamino)-3- pyridyl]-2-pyridyl]-2-[3-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoro- methyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol- 1-yl]acetamide 2.90(Method 1) 482.2

2-[4-[2-(dimethylamino)-4- pyridyl]-3,5-dimethyl- pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl) acetamide 2.37 (Method 1) 429.2

2-[4-[6-(dimethylamino)-3- pyridyl]-3,5-dimethyl- pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl) acetamide 2.34 (Method 1) 429.2

2-[4-[6-(dimethylamino)-3- pyridyl]-3,5-dimethyl- pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrimidin-5-yl-2-pyridyl) acetamide 2.27 (Method 2) 429.3

N-[5-(6-acetamido-3- pyridyl)-2-pyridyl]-2-[3- methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4- pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl] acetamide 3.31 (Method 2)496.2

Intermediate 24: 4-Iodo-3,5-dimethyl-1-tetrahydropyran-2-yl-pyrazole

To a solution of 3,5-Dimethyl-4-iodo-1H-pyrazole (1.69 g, 7.61 mmol) inDCM (25 mL) was added 3,4-Dihydro-2H-pyran (1.04 mL, 11.4 mmol) andpyridinium p-toluenesulfonate (383 mg, 1.52 mmol). The reaction wasstirred at 40° C. overnight and then for 4 days at room temperature.

The mixture was diluted with DCM (50 ml), washed with sat NaHCO₃ aq (50ml), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residuewas purified by flash column chromatography (40 g SiO2, 0-30% EtOAc inheptane) to provide 4-iodo-3,5-dimethyl-1-tetrahydropyran-2-yl-pyrazole(2.36 g, 7.7 mmol, 101.19% yield) as a white solid.

MS Method 2: RT: 1.78 min, ES⁺ m/z 307.0 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ/ppm: 5.23-5.26 (d, J=10.4 Hz, 1H), 4.05-4.08(m, 1H), 3.62-3.69 (m, 1H), 2.39-2.49 (m, 1H), 2.35 (s, 3H), 2.25 (s,3H), 2.09-2.14 (m, 1H). 1.88-1.94 (m, 1H), 1.64-1.79 (m, 3H).

Intermediate 25:4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-1-tetrahydropyran-2-yl-pyrazole

A flask was charged with4-iodo-3,5-dimethyl-1-tetrahydropyran-2-yl-pyrazole (1.3 g, 4.25 mmol),cesium carbonate (4.15 g, 12.7 mmol) and 3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-boronicacid pinacol ester (1.78 g, 8.49 mmol) which was taken up in DMF (18.7mL). The resulting solution was then degassed by evacuation andback-filled with nitrogen (repeated twice).

[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]Palladium(II) chloridedichloromethane complex (347 mg, 0.42 mmol) was then added, the systemevacuated and back-filled with nitrogen once more, then the reactionmixture heated up to 80° C. for 4 hours. The reaction mixture waspartitioned between EtOAc and water. The organic layer washed withsaturated aqueous NaHCO₃, then with brine, dried over sodium sulfate,filtered and concentrated to dryness, affording a thick brown oil. Thiswas purified by column chromatography, (80 g SiO₂, eluting with 20-60%EtOAc in heptane). The fractions containing product were combined andconcentrated to dryness, affording4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-1-tetrahydropyran-2-yl-pyrazole(200 mg, 0.76 mmol, 18% yield) as a yellow oil.

MS Method 2: RT: 1.46 min, ES⁺ m/z 263.5 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ/ppm: 5.51-5.58 (m, 1H), 5.15-5.19 (dd, J=2.4,10.4 Hz, 1H), 4.26-4.30 (q, J=2.7 Hz, 2H), 4.04-4.10 (m, 1H), 3.85-3.90(t, J=5.4 Hz, 2H), 3.60-3.68 (dt, J=2.4, 11.6 Hz, 1H), 2.42-2.54 (m,1H), 2.26-2.31 (m, 2H), 2.24 (s, 3H), 2.20 (s, 3H), 2.05-2.12 (m, 1H),1.89-1.94 (m, 1H), 1.62-1.76 (m, 2H), 1.25-1.29 (m, 1H).

Intermediate 26:3,5-dimethyl-1-tetrahydropyran-2-yl-4-tetrahydropyran-4-yl-pyrazole

To a round bottomed flask was added4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-1-tetrahydropyran-2-yl-pyrazole(100 mg, 0.38 mmol) and methanol (5 mL). The solution was purged andevacuated with nitrogen several times before the addition of palladium,10 wt. % on carbon powder, wet (81 mg, 0.08 mmol) after which the systemwas again purged and evacuated several times. The reaction vessel wasthen filled with hydrogen and stirred vigorously overnight.

The mixture was filtered over a celite pad, washed with MeOH and dried,affording3,5-dimethyl-1-tetrahydropyran-2-yl-4-tetrahydropyran-4-yl-pyrazole (90mg, 0.34 mmol, 90% yield) as a colourless oil.

MS Method 2: RT: 1.41 min, ES⁺ m/z 265.0 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ/ppm: 5.15-5.19 (dd, J=2.4, 10.4 Hz, 1H),4.03-4.11 (m, 3H), 3.60-3.68 (dt, J=2.4, 12.5 Hz, 1H), 3.44-3.52 (dt,J=2.0, 12.5 Hz, 2H), 2.61-2.68 (tt, J=4.0, 12.5 Hz, 1H), 2.44-2.55 (m,1H), 2.29 (s, 3H), 2.28 (s, 3H), 2.05-2.12 (m, 1H), 1.89-2.03 (m, 3H),1.52-1.79 (m, 5H).

Intermediate 27: 4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole

To a round bottomed flask was added4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-1-tetrahydropyran-2-yl-pyrazole(505 mg, 1.92 mmol) and 4M hydrogen chloride in dioxane (4.81 mL, 19.3mmol) was added dropwise. The reaction was stirred at room temperatureover the weekend. The pH was adjusted to basic by addition of saturatedNaHCO3. The organic layer was separated, washed with brine, dried oversodium sulphate and evaporated, affording a yellow oil. The resultingresidue was loaded onto a methanol primed SCX cartridge and eluted withmethanol (3CV) and 1M ammonia in methanol (3CV). The ammonia flush wasthen concentrated affording4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole (280 mg, 1.57mmol, 82% yield) as a colourless oil.

MS Method 2: RT: 0.96 min, ES+ m/z 179.0 [M+H]+

1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ/ppm: 5.55-5.62 (m, 1H), 4.27-4.31 (q, J=2.7Hz, 2H), 3.87-3.92 (t, J=5.4 Hz, 2H), 2.30-2.36 (m, 2H), 2.52 (s, 6H).

Intermediate 28: 4-tetrahydropyran-4-yl-1H-pyrazole

1-Tetrahydropyran-2-yl-4-tetrahydropyran-4-yl-pyrazole (120 mg, 0.51mmol) was dissolved in 1,4-dioxane (2 mL) and 4M HCl in dioxane (1.27mL, 5.09 mmol) was added dropwise. The reaction was stirred at roomtemperature overnight. The pH was adjusted to basic by addition ofsaturated NaHCO₃. The organic layer was extracted with EtOAc, separated,washed with brine, dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated, affording4-tetrahydropyran-4-yl-1H-pyrazole (72.8 mg, 0.47 mmol, 94% yield) as awhite solid that was used without any further purification.

MS Method 2: RT: 0.88 min, ES⁺ m/z 181.0 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ/ppm: 4.04-4.12 (m, 2H), 3.46-3.56 (m, 2H),2.63-2.72 (tt, J=3.8, 12.5 Hz, 1H), 2.29 (s, 6H), 1.90-2.01 (m, 2H),1.51-1.63 (m, 3H).

Intermediate 29:2-[4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]acetic acid

Following the two step procedure described for alkylation and hydrolysisof intermediate 23 in general scheme 42-[4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]acetic acidwas prepared.

MS Method 2: RT: 1.06 min, ES⁺ m/z 237.0 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ/ppm: 5.57-5.63 (m, 1H), 4.77 (s, 2H),4.27-4.30 (m, 2H), 3.86-3.92 (m, 2H), 2.90-3.50 (bs, 1H), 2.26-2.33 (m,2H), 2.22 (s, 3H), 2.20 (s, 3H).

Intermediate 30: ethyl2-[4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]propanoate

A flask was charged with4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole (150 mg, 0.84mmol), ethyl 2-bromopropionate (0.16 mL, 1.26 mmol) and potassiumcarbonate (345 mg, 2.52 mmol) which was suspended in MeCN (5 mL). Theflask was then heated to reflux and left to stir overnight. After thistime, a TLC analysis show SM left, so ethyl 2-bromopropionate (0.16 mL,1.26 mmol) was added again and the reaction was stirred for further 24hours. The precipitated solid was filtered off and washed with EtOAc.The filtrate was evaporated to dryness, affording a yellow oil which waspurified by flash column chromatography (12 g, SiO₂, 20-100% EtOAc inheptane). Ethyl2-[4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]propanoatewas isolated as a colourless oil (31 mg, 0.11 mmol, 13% yield).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ/ppm: 5.50-5.58 (m, 1H), 4.84-4.88 (q, J=7.1Hz, 1H), 4.15-4.30 (m, 4H), 3.86-3.92 (m, 2H), 2.29-2.34 (m, 2H), 2.20(s, 3H), 2.27 (s, 3H), 1.81-1.82 (d, J=7.1 Hz, 3H), 1.19-1.25 (q, J=6.2Hz, 3H).

Intermediate 31:2-[4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]propanoicacid

Ethyl2-[4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]propanoate(31.2 mg, 0.11 mmol) was dissolved in ethanol (5 mL), lithium hydroxyde(6.71 mg, 0.28 mmol) in water (0.20 mL) was added and the reaction wasstirred at RT for 16 h. Evaporation of the solvent afforded2-[4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]propanoicacid.

MS Method 2: RT: 1.51 min, ES⁺ m/z 251.1 [M+H]⁺

Intermediate 32:2-[4-(1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridin-4-yl)pyrazol-1-yl]aceticacid

Following steps i-iv) in general scheme 52-[4-(1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridin-4-yl)pyrazol-1-yl]aceticacid was prepared starting from 4-iodo-1H-pyrazole andN-Boc-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-4-boronic acid pinacol ester.

MS Method 2: RT: 1.66 min, ES⁺ m/z 308.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ/ppm: 7.63 (s, 1H), 7.43 (s, 1H), 5.84-5.95(bs, 1H), 5.04 (s, 2H), 3.98-4.04 (m, 2H), 3.55-3.63 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 2H),2.34-2.40 (m, 2H), 1.43-1.54 (m, 9H)

Example 14:2-[4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide

A stirred solution of2-[4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]acetic acid(108 mg, 0.46 mmol), 5-pyrazin-2-ylpyridin-2-amine (103 mg, 0.60 mmol),propylphosphonic anhydride (0.55 mL, 0.92 mmol) andN,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.2 mL, 1.15 mmol) in THF (5 mL) was heatedto reflux and stirred for 2 h. The THF was removed in vacuo to afford ayellow gum, that was purified by flash column chromatography (12 g SiO₂,50-100% EtOAc in heptane) to afford2-[4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide((45 mg, 0.12 mmol, 25% yield) as a colourless solid.

MS Method 2: RT: 1.34 min, ES⁺ m/z 391.2 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ/ppm: 11.05 (s, 1H), 9.30-9.34 (d, J=1.4 Hz,1H), 9.12-9.14 (d, J=1.9 Hz, 1H), 8.72-8.74 (m, 1H), 8.63-8.65 (d, J=2.4Hz, 1H), 8.53-8.57 (dd, J=2.4, 8.7 Hz, 1H), 8.16-8.20 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H),5.57 (s, 1H), 5.00 (s, 2H), 4.17-4.21 (m, 2H), 3.77-3.82 (t, J=5.6 Hz,2H), 2.24-2.39 (m, 2H), 2.18 (s, 3H), 2.09 (s, 3H).

Example 15:2-[4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)propanamide

A stirred solution of lithium2-[4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]propanoate(29 mg, 0.11 mmol), 5-pyrazin-2-ylpyridin-2-amine (19 mg, 0.11 mmol),propylphosphonic anhydride (0.13 mL, 0.22 mmol) andN,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.05 mL, 0.28 mmol) in THF (5 mL) was heatedto reflux and stirred for 24 h. After this time, LC-MS showed noconversion to the desired product so propylphosphonic anhydride (0.26mL, 0.44 mmol), N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.1 mL, 0.56 mmol) and5-pyrazin-2-ylpyridin-2-amine (19 mg, 0.1100 mmol) were added. Thereaction was stirred for further 24 h. The THF was removed in vacuo toafford a yellow gum, that was purified by flash column chromatography (4g SiO₂, 50-100% EtOAc in Heptane), followed by reverse phase preparativeHPLC affording2-[4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)propanamideas a white solid (10.3 mg, 0.03 mmol, 22% yield).

MS Method 1: RT: 3.28 min, ES⁺ m/z 405.3 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ/ppm: 10.77 (s, 1H), 9.29-9.32 (d, J=1.4 Hz,1H), 9.09-9.11 (d, J=1.9 Hz, 1H), 8.71-8.75 (m, 1H), 8.62-8.65 (d, J=2.4Hz, 1H), 8.53-8.57 (dd, J=2.4, 8.7 Hz, 1H), 8.19-8.24 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H),5.57 (s, 1H), 5.16-5.23 (q, J=7 Hz 1H), 4.17-4.21 (m, 2H), 3.76-3.8 (t,J=5.9 Hz, 2H), 2.22-2.37 (m, 2H), 2.21 (s, 3H), 2.12 (s, 3H), 1.63-1.67(d, J=7 Hz, 3H).

Example 16: tert-butyl4-[1-[2-oxo-2-[(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)amino]ethyl]pyrazol-4-yl]-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridine-1-carboxylate

Intermediate 32 was subject to coupling according to step v) of generalscheme 5 to form tert-butyl4-[1-[2-oxo-2-[(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)amino]ethyl]pyrazol-4-yl]-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridine-1-carboxylate.

MS Method 1: RT: 3.68 min, ES⁺ m/z 462.3 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ/ppm: 11.06 (s, 1H), 9.31-9.32 (d, J=1.3 Hz,1H), 9.11-9.14 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 8.71-8.74 (m, 1H), 8.63-8.65 (d, J=2.5Hz, 1H), 8.52-8.57 (1H, dd, J=2.4, 8.8 Hz, 1H), 8.15-8.21 (d, J=8.8 Hz,1H), 7.84 (s, 1H), 7.66 (s, 1H), 5.94-5.99 (bs, 1H), 5.11 (s, 2H),3.92-3.98 (bs, 2H), 3.49-3.54 (t, J=5.6 Hz, 2H), 2.30-2.37 (m, 2H), 1.42(s, 9H).

Example 17

In an analogous fashion the following examples were also prepared.

LCMS RT m/z Structure STRUCTURE NAME (min) MIM

2-[4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran- 4-yl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5- pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl) acetamide 1.59 (Method 2)431.2

2-[4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran- 4-yl)-3-methyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- pyridyl)acetamide 1.36 (Method 2) 377.2

tert-butyl 4-[3,5-dimethyl-1- [2-oxo-2-[(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)amino]ethyl]pyrazol- 4-yl]-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridine-1-carboxylate 3.87 (Method 1) 490.3

Example 18:2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide

tert-butyl4-[3,5-dimethyl-1-[2-oxo-2-[(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)amino]ethyl]pyrazol-4-yl]-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridine-1-carboxylate(37.2 mg, 0.08 mmol) was dissolved in DCM (5 mL) and trifluoroaceticacid (0.58 mL, 7.6 mmol) was added dropwise. The reaction was stirred atRT for 1 hour. The mixture was washed with saturated NaHCO₃ and brine.

The organic layer was dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated invacuo, affording a pale yellow solid analysed as2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide(6 mg, 0.01 mmol, 20% yield).

MS Method 1: RT: 2.07 min, ES⁺ m/z 390.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ/ppm: 11.05 (s, 1H), 9.31-9.34 (d, J=1.4 Hz,1H), 9.10-9.14 (d, J=1.9 Hz, 1H), 8.72-8.75 (m, 1H), 8.63-8.65 (d, J=2.5Hz, 1H), 8.52-8.56 (m, 1H), 8.15-8.21 (m, 1H), 5.52 (bs, 1H), 4.99 (s,2H), 3.37-3.40 (m, 2H), 2.91-2.97 (m, 2H), 2.15-2.22 (m, 5H), 2.08 (s,3H).

Intermediate 33: (2,6-dimethyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)trifluoromethanesulfonate

To a round bottomed flask which has been dried in the vacuum ovenovernight was added 2,6-dimethyltetrahydropyran-4-one (830 mg, 6.48mmol) in THF (20 ml). The solution was cooled to −78° C. and lithiumbis(trimethylsilyl)amide 1.0 M solution in THF (9.07 mL, 9.07 mmol) wasadded dropwise. The solution was allowed to stir for 1 hour at −78° C.before the addition of N-phenyl bis-trifluoromethane sulfonimide (2776mg, 7.77 mmol) in THF (5 ml). The reaction formed a cream suspension andwas then allowed to rise to room temperature over 4 hours after which anorange solution had formed. Analysis by TLC (5% EtOAc in heptane) showedno remaining 2,6 dimethyltetrahydropyranone and a new spot. The reactiondiluted with EtOAc and was quenched with 1M HCl. The phases wereseparated and the organic layer was then washed with 1M NaOH. Theorganic layer was dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and concentratedand columned on silica gel (0-15% EtOAc in heptane) to give(2,6-dimethyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl) trifluoromethanesulfonate (1.1g, 4.13 mmol, 64% yield) as a clear liquid and a mixture ofstereoisomers.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ/ppm: 5.69-5.71 (m, 1H), 4.31-4.39 (m, 1H),3.73-3.82 (m, 1H), 2.19-2.38 (m, 2H), 1.31-1.33 (d, J=3.6 Hz, 3H),1.29-1.31 (d, J=4.1 Hz, 3H)

Intermediate 34:4-(2,6-dimethyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole

2,6-dimethyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl) trifluoromethanesulfonate (1075mg, 4.13 mmol) and tert-butyl3,5-dimethyl-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)pyrazole-1-carboxylate(1464.15 mg, 4.54 mmol) were dissolved in 1,4-dioxane (9 mL) beforeadding potassium phosphate tribasic (1315 mg, 6.2 mmol) in Water (2 mL)and degassing by bubbling N₂ through the mixture for 10 mins.Tricyclohexylphosphine (58 mg, 0.21 mmol) andtris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium (0) (95 mg, 0.10 mmol) were added,degassing continued for a further 2 mins prior to heating thermally 100°C. (external probe) for 18 hrs. The reaction was cooled and then thedioxane was removed in vacuo. The mixture was then partitioned betweenwater and EtOAc. The organic layer was washed with water several times,then dried over sodium sulphate filtered and concentrated. The resultingresidue was then loaded onto a methanol primed SCX cartridge. The columnwas eluted with methanol (3CV) and 1M ammonia in methanol (3CV). Theammonia flush was concentrated to give4-(2,6-dimethyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole (854mg, 4.14 mmol, 100.% yield) as a mixture of stereoisomers.

MS Method 2: RT: 1.66 min, ES⁺ m/z 391.3 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ/ppm: 5.46-5.48 (m, 1H), 4.35-4.43 (m, 1H),3.76-3.85 (m, 1H), 2.25 (s, 6H), 2.05-2.22 (m, 2H), 1.28-1.32 (m, 6H).

Example 19:2-[4-(2,6-dimethyltetrahydropyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide

Using steps 3-5 of general scheme 52-[4-(2,6-dimethyltetrahydropyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamidewas prepared.

MS Method 1: RT: 3.41 min, ES⁺ m/z 419.3 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ/ppm: 9.00-9.02 (d, J=1.5 Hz, 1H), 8.91-8.93(m, 1H), 8.79-8.82 (bs, 1H), 8.63-8.65 (m, 1H), 8.53-8.56 (d, J=2.5 Hz,1H), 8.34-8.37 (m, 2H), 5.48-5.51 (m, 1H), 4.84 (s, 2H), 4.35-4.43 (m,1H), 3.77-3.85 (m, 1H), 2.29 (s, 3H), 2.24 (s, 3H), 2.16-2.23 (m, 1H),2.04-2.11 (m, 1H), 1.31-1.34 (d, J=2.8 Hz, 3H), 1.28-1.31 (d, J=2.3 Hz,3H).

Intermediate 35:2-[4-(2,6-dimethyltetrahydropyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]aceticacid

To a round bottomed flask was added ethyl2-[4-(2,6-dimethyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]acetate(340 mg, 1.16 mmol) and methanol (2 mL). The solution was purged andevacuated with nitrogen several times before the addition of palladium,10 wt. % on carbon, wet (618 mg, 0.58 mmol), after which the system wasagain purged and evacuated several times. The reaction vessel was thenfilled with hydrogen and stirred vigorously overnight.

The reaction was flushed with nitrogen and filtered through a pad ofcelite and washed with methanol. The methanol was concentrated to givethe reduced product to which was added water (0.58 mL), ethanol (3 mL)and lithium hydroxide monohydrate (44 mg, 1.05 mmol). The reaction wasstirred for 30 mins at room temperature. The ethanol was removed byvacuum concentration, the aqueous layer was then acidified to pH3 with1M HCl. The aqueous layer was then extracted 3 times with EtOAc. Theorganic layers were combined, dried over sodium sulphate, filtered andthen concentrated to afford2-[4-(2,6-dimethyltetrahydropyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]aceticacid (168 mg, 0.63 mmol, 60% yield) as a white solid.

MS Method 2: RT: 1.26 min, ES⁺ m/z 267.2 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ/ppm: 4.80 (s, 2H), 4.00-4.60 (bs, 1H),3.50-3.53 (m, 2H), 2.59-2.62 (m, 1H), 2.20 (s, 3H), 2.05 (s, 3H),1.39-1.60 (m, 4H), 1.23-1.26 (m, 6H).

Example 20:2-[4-(2,6-dimethyltetrahydropyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide

A stirred solution of2-[4-(2,6-dimethyltetrahydropyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]aceticacid (50 mg, 0.19 mmol), 5-pyrazin-2-ylpyridin-2-amine (39 mg, 0.23mmol), propylphosphonic anhydride (0.22 mL, 0.38 mmol) andN,N-Diisopropylethylamine (0.08 mL, 0.47 mmol) in THF (2 mL) was heatedto reflux and stirred overnight at 80° C. The THF was removed in vacuoto afford a yellow gum that was purified by silica gel columnchromatography using 0-100% EtOAc in heptane then 0-10% MeOH in EtOAc.Fractions containing the product were combined and concentrated. Theresidue was columned again (0-3% MeOH in EtOAc) and further purified bypreparative LCMS. The clean fractions were concentrated to give2-[4-(2,6-dimethyltetrahydropyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide(16 mg, 0.04 mmol, 20% yield) as a white solid.

MS Method 1: RT: 3.35 min, ES⁺ m/z 421.3 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ/ppm: 9.01-9.03 (d, J=1.6 Hz, 1H), 8.93-8.95(m, 1H), 8.74-8.78 (bs, 1H), 8.65-8.72 (m, 1H), 8.55-8.57 (d, J=2.5 Hz,1H), 8.36-8.39 (m, 2H), 4.84 (s, 2H), 3.54-3.64 (m, 2H), 2.71-2.80 (dt,J=2.1, 6.0 Hz, 1H), 2.35 (s, 3H), 2.28 (s, 3H), 1.48-1.68 (m, 4H),1.25-1.29 (d, J=6.2 Hz, 6H).

Example 21

The following dihydropyrans were prepared in an analogous manner toexample 19, the tetraydropyrans were prepared in an analogous manner toexample 20.

LCMS RT m/z Structure STRUCTURE NAME (min) MIM

2-[4-(2,6-dimethyl-3,6-dihydro- 2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrimidin- 5-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 3.22 (Method 1)419.4

2-[4-(2,6-dimethyl-3,6-dihydro- 2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrimidin- 2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 3.53 (Method 1)419.3

2-[4-(2,6- dimethyltetrahydropyran-4-yl)- 3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrimidin-5-yl-2- pyridyl)acetamide 3.15 (Method 1) 421.5

2-[4-(2,6- dimethyltetrahydropyran-4-yl)- 3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrimidin-2-yl-2- pyridyl)acetamide 3.46 (Method 1) 421.3

Further compounds of the invention could be prepared by analogy with thefollowing route:

Intermediate 36: 2-(5-bromo-2-thienyl)-N-(5-chloro-2-pyridyl)acetamide

A flask was charged with 2-(5-bromo-2-thienyl)acetic acid (300 mg, 1.36mmol) and 5-chlor-2-pyridinamine (174 mg, 1.36 mmol), which was taken upin DMF (5 mL) and N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.47 mL, 2.71 mmol) wasadded. The solution was set stirring and HATU (567 mg, 1.49 mmol) wasadded. The resulting solution was left to stir overnight. The reactionmixture was diluted with water and partitioned with EtOAc. Separationwas difficult, so some brine was added in aid. The phases were thenseparated and the organic layer was washed with 1:1 brine and watermixture (×2). The aqueous washes were then combined and extracted oncewith EtOAc. The organics were then combined, washed with brine, driedover sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to dryness, affording abrown oil. Purification by flash column chromatography was performed,(25 g SiO₂, eluting with 0-50% EtOAc in heptane). Fractions containingthe product were combined and concentrated to dryness, affording2-(5-bromo-2-thienyl)-N-(5-chloro-2-pyridyl)acetamide (104 mg, 0.31mmol, 23.11% yield) as a brown crystalline solid.

MS Method 2: RT: 1.83 min, ES⁺ m/z 332.8 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ/ppm: 8.10-8.15 (m, 2H), 7.82-7.91 (bs, 1H),7.58-7.63 (dd, J=9.0, 2.9 Hz, 1H), 6.90-6.92 (d, J=3.8 Hz, 1H),6.71-6.73, (dt, J=3.8, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 3.81 (s, 2H).

Intermediate 37:N-(5-chloro-2-pyridyl)-2-[5-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)-2-thienyl]acetamide

A flask was charged with2-(5-bromo-2-thienyl)-N-(5-chloro-2-pyridyl)acetamide (100 mg, 0.30mmol), 1,4-dioxane (2 mL) and water (1 mL). The resulting solution wasthen degassed under vacuum and the system back-filled with nitrogen.This was repeated twice before adding[1,1_apos_-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]palladium (II) chloridedichloromethane complex (24 mg, 0.03 mmol). Then the system was purgedwith nitrogen again and the reaction mixture heated to 85° C. for 1 hourthermally. The reaction mixture was concentrated to dryness and thesolid purified by flash column chromatography, (12 g SiO₂, eluting with20-100% EtOAc in heptane). Fractions containing the product werecombined and concentrated to dryness, affordingN-(5-chloro-2-pyridyl)-2-[5-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)-2-thienyl]acetamide (75mg, 0.22 mmol, 72.33% yield) as a yellow solid.

MS Method 2: RT: 1.27 min, ES⁺ m/z 344.0 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ/ppm: 8.39-8.43 (d, J=5.6 Hz, 1H), 8.12-8.16(d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 8.11-8.13 (d, J=2.6 Hz, 1H), 7.91-7.95 (bs, 1H),7.59-7.62 (dd, J=9.0, 2.6 Hz, 1H), 7.32-7.34 (d, J=3.7 Hz, 1H),7.23-7.25 (m, 1H), 7.17-7.21 (m, 1H), 6.96-6.98 (1H, d, J=3.7 Hz, 1H),3.91 (s, 2H), 2.53 (s, 3H).

Example 22:2-[5-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)-2-thienyl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide

A flask was charged withN-(5-chloro-2-pyridyl)-2-[5-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)-2-thienyl]acetamide (70mg, 0.20 mmol), bis(pinacolato)diboron (56 mg, 0.22 mmol),tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium (0) (9 mg, 0.01 mmol) was thenadded to the solution, the system flushed with nitrogen again and thereaction heated to 110° C. for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was dilutedwith EtOAc and filtered through a thin pad of celite, eluting withEtOAc. The filtrate was then concentrated to dryness, affording crude2-[5-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)-2-thienyl]-N-[5-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-2-pyridyl]acetamide(130 mg, 0.2986 mmol, 146.% yield) as an red/orange oil which wasimmediately take on into the final Suzuki reaction without purification.

Iodopyrazine (85 mg, 0.41 mmol), and sodium carbonate (87 mg, 0.83mmol). This was taken up in toluene (1.6 mL), Ethanol (0.40 mL) andWater (0.40 mL). The resulting solution was then degassed throughevacuation and the system back-filled with nitrogen (×3).

Tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (31.85 mg, 0.03 mmol) was thenadded to the solution, the system evacuated and filled with nitrogenagain, and the solution heated to 85° C. for 2 hrs.

The reaction was concentrated to dryness and purified by flash columnchromatography (12 g SiO₂ eluting with 50-100% EtOAc with 2%triethylamine in heptane). The fractions containing product werecombined and concentrated to dryness, affording a light orange solid.The compound was purified further by prep-LCMS, which afforded2-[5-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)-2-thienyl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide(7 mg, 0.018 mmol, 6.5% yield) as an off white solid.

MS Method 2: RT: 1.13 min, ES⁺ m/z 388.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ/ppm: 11.09 (s, 1H), 9.31.9.33 (d, J=1.3 Hz,1H), 9.11-9.13 (d, J=2.1 Hz, 1H), 8.72-8.74 (m, 1H), 8.63-8.65 (d, J=2.6Hz, 1H), 8.52-8.56 (dd, J=8.7, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 8.40-8.43 (d, J=5.5 Hz, 1H),8.22-8.26 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.63-7.65 (d, J=3.7 Hz, 1H), 7.48 (s, 1H),7.39-7.42, (m, 1H), 7.08-7.10 (d, J=3.5 Hz, 1H), 4.10 (s, 2H), 2.51 (s,3H).

Example 23

The following compounds were prepared in an analogous manner using theappropriately substituted thiophenes, aryl/vinyl boronates and arylhalides.

LCMS RT m/z Structure STRUCTURE NAME (min) MIM

N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2- [4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]-2-thienyl]acetamide 3.78 (Method 1) 442.0

2-[4-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)-2- thienyl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 2.39 (Method 1) 388.1

2-[4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4- yl)-2-thienyl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 3.35 (Method 1) 379.1

2-[4-(2-methylpyrazol-3-yl)- 2-thienyl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 3.10 (Method 1) 377.1

Dual-Cell β-Catenin Reporter Assay

Mouse L cells transfected to constitutively produce biologically activemurine Wnt-3a, referred to as L-Wnt cells, were purchased from theAmerican Type Culture Collection, ATCC, Manassas, Va. (ATCC). Thesecells were cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10% FCS (Gibco/Invitrogen,Carlsbad, Calif.), 1% geneticin and 1% sodium pyruvate (Sigma) at 37° C.with 5% CO₂. The cells were seeded into 96 well plates and treated withserial dilutions of compound diluted to 0.1% DMSO concentration. After24 hours, cell supernatants were transferred to a 96 well platepreviously seeded with Leading Light® Wnt Reporter Cells, stablytransfected with a luciferase gene under control of Wnt pathway responseelements. After a further 24 hours, cells are treated with One-gloluciferase assay system (Promega, Madison, Wis.) and the luminescentsignal read by envision. The IC₅₀ of the compound is determined as theconcentration that reduces the induced luciferase signal to 50% of theDMSO control.

The results of the assay for certain compounds of the invention aregiven below. The table shows the IC₅₀ value of the compound categorisedas “+”, “ ”, “++” and “+++”. The category “+” refers to compounds withan IC₅₀ of >100 μM. The category “++” refers to compounds with an IC₅₀of 5 to 100 μM. The category “+++” refers to compounds with an IC₅₀<5μM.

ID No. Compound IC50 (nM) 12-[4-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)imidazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- ++pyridyl)acetamide 22-[5-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)-2-thienyl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- +++pyridyl)acetamide 32-[4-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- ++pyridyl)acetamide 4N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4- +++pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide 5N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4-(4-pyridyl)imidazol-1- ++ yl]acetamide6 tert-butyl 4-[6-[[2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1- +++yl]acetyl]amino]-3-pyridyl]piperazine-1-carboxylate 7N-(5-pyrimidin-5-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4- +++pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide 8 tert-butyl4-[6-[[2-[4-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)pyrazol-1- ++yl]acetyl]amino]-3-pyridyl]piperazine-1-carboxylate 9 tert-butyl4-[6-[[2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1- ++yl]acetyl]amino]-3-pyridyl]piperazine-1-carboxylate 10N-[5-(4-acetylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-pyridyl]-2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)- ++4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 11N-(6-pyrimidin-5-yl-3-pyridyl)-2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4- +pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide 12N-[5-(4-acetylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-pyridyl]-2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)- ++4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide 13N-(6-pyrazin-2-yl-3-pyridyl)-2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4- ++pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide 14N-(5-pyrimidin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4- +++pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide 15N-[5-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-pyridyl]-2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)- +4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide 16N-(5-pyrimidin-4-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4- ++pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide 17N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4- +++pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 18N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4-[6-(trifluoromethyl)-3- +pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 192-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N- +++(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 202-[4-(2-cyano-4-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- +pyridyl)acetamide 212-[4-[2-(difluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2- +++yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 222-[4-(2-methoxy-4-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- ++pyridyl)acetamide 23N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]- +++2-thienyl]acetamide 242-[4-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)-2-thienyl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- +++pyridyl)acetamide 252-[4-(4-methylthiazol-5-yl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- ++pyridyl)acetamide 262-[4-(2-methylpyrazol-3-yl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- ++pyridyl)acetamide 272-(4-isothiazol-4-ylpyrazol-1-yl)-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- ++pyridyl)acetamide 282-[4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-2-thienyl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- ++pyridyl)acetamide 292-[4-(2-methylthiazol-5-yl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- +pyridyl)acetamide 30N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-(4-pyrimidin-4-ylpyrazol-1- +yl)acetamide 312-[4-(2-methylpyrazol-3-yl)-2-thienyl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- ++pyridyl)acetamide 322-[4-(2-methylpyrazol-3-yl)imidazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- +pyridyl)acetamide 33N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)pyrazol-1- +yl]acetamide 34N-(5-pyrimidin-5-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4- +++pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 352-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N- +++(5-pyrimidin-5-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 362-[4-(3,5-dimethylisoxazol-4-yl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl- ++2-pyridyl)acetamide 37N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidin-4- +++yl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 382-[4-(2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- ++pyridyl)acetamide 392-[4-(6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- +pyridyl)acetamide 402-(3,5-dimethyl-4-tetrahydropyran-4-yl-pyrazol-1-yl)-N-(5- +++pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 41N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4-[6-(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidin-4- ++yl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 42N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4- +yl)imidazol-1-yl]acetamide 432-[4-(2-isopropylpyrazol-3-yl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- +pyridyl)acetamide 442-[3,5-dimethyl-4-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5- +++pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 452-[4-(2-cyclopentylpyrazol-3-yl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl- +2-pyridyl)acetamide 46 tert-butyl4-[3,5-dimethyl-1-[2-oxo-2-[(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- ++pyridyl)amino]ethyl]pyrazol-4-yl]-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridine-1- carboxylate47 2-[4-(2-cyclopentylpyrazol-3-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5- +pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 482-[4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N- +++(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 49N-[5-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-2-pyridyl]-2-[3,5-dimethyl-4- ++[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 502-[3,5-dimethyl-4-(2-methylpyrazol-3-yl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5- ++pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 512-[3,5-dimethyl-4-(6-methylpyridazin-4-yl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5- ++pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 522-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N- +++[5-(3-pyridyl)-2-pyridyl]acetamide 532-[3,5-dimethyl-4-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl)pyrazol-1-yl]- +N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 54N-[5-(4-cyanophenyl)-2-pyridyl]-2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2- +++(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 552-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N- +++[5-(2-methylpyrazol-3-yl)-2-pyridyl]acetamide 562-[3-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5- +++pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 572-[4-(6-chloropyrimidin-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5- ++pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 582-[4-(1-cyclopropylpyrazol-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5- ++pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 59N-[5-(2-cyanophenyl)-2-pyridyl]-2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2- +++(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 602-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N- ++[5-(4-pyridyl)-2-pyridyl]acetamide 612-[4-(2-fluoro-4-pyridyl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin- +++2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 622-[4-(1-isopropylpyrazol-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5- ++pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 632-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N- ++[5-(1,1-dioxo-3,6-dihydro-2H-thiopyran-4-yl)-2- pyridyl]acetamide 642-[4-(6-methoxy-3-pyridyl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5- ++pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 652-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N- +++(5-pyrimidin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 66N-[5-(6-cyano-3-pyridyl)-2-pyridyl]-2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2- +++(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 672-[4-methyl-3-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5- +++pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 682-[2-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]-N-(5- +++pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 692-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N- ++(5-tetrahydropyran-4-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 702-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazol-4- ++yl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 71N-[5-(2-cyano-4-pyridyl)-2-pyridyl]-2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2- +++(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 722-[2,5-dimethyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]-N- +++(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 732-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N- ++(3-fluoro-5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 742-[5-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]-N-(5- +++pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 752-[4-methyl-3-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2- +++yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 762-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N- +(3-methyl-5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 772-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N- ++(3-methoxy-5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 782-[4-[6-(dimethylamino)-2-(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidin-4-yl]-3,5- +++dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 792-[4-(2-amino-4-pyridyl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5- ++pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 80N-(3-cyano-5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2- ++(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 812-[4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N- +++(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)propanamide 822-[4-(2,6-dimethyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl- +++pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 831-[4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-5-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-2- ++methyl-2-[(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)amino]propan-1-one 842-[4-(2,6-dimethyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl- +++pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrimidin-5-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 852-[4-(2,6-dimethyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl- ++pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrimidin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 862-[2,5-dimethyl-4-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)imidazol-1-yl]-N-(5- +++pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 872-[5-methyl-4-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)imidazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2- +++yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 882-[4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazol-1- +++yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 892-[4-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-3-methyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5- ++pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 902-[3-methyl-4-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2- +++yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 912-[3-methyl-4-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrimidin- +++5-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 922-[4-(2,6-dimethyltetrahydropyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1- ++yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 932-[3-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5- +++pyrimidin-5-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 94N-[5-[2-(dimethylamino)-4-pyridyl]-2-pyridyl]-2-[3-methyl-4-[2- ++(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 95N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[3-(trifluoromethyl)-4-[2- +++(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 962-[4-(2,6-dimethyltetrahydropyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1- ++yl]-N-(5-pyrimidin-5-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 972-[4-(2,6-dimethyltetrahydropyran-4-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1- ++yl]-N-(5-pyrimidin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 98N-[5-(6-methoxy-3-pyridyl)-2-pyridyl]-2-[3-methyl-4-[2-methyl ++(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 99N-[5-[6-(dimethylamino)-3-pyridyl]-2-pyridyl]-2-[3-methyl-4-[2- +++(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 1002-[4-[2-(dimethylamino)-4-pyridyl]-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N- ++(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 1012-[4-[6-(dimethylamino)-3-pyridyl]-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N- ++(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 1022-[4-[6-(dimethylamino)-3-pyridyl]-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-N- ++(5-pyrimidin-5-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 103N-[5-(6-acetamido-3-pyridyl)-2-pyridyl]-2-[3-methyl-4-[2- +++(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 1042-[5-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]-N-(5- +++pyrimidin-5-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 1052-[5-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]-N-(5- +++pyrimidin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 106N-[5-(6-cyano-3-pyridyl)-2-pyridyl]-2-[5-methyl-4-[2- +++(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide 107N-[5-(4-cyanophenyl)-2-pyridyl]-2-[5-methyl-4-[2- +++(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide 1082-[5-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]-N-[5- +++(3-pyridyl)-2-pyridyl]acetamide 109N-[5-(2-cyano-4-pyridyl)-2-pyridyl]-2-[5-methyl-4-[2- ++(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide 1102-[4-(2-fluoro-4-pyridyl)-5-methyl-imidazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2- +++yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 1112-[5-methyl-4-(2-methylpyrazol-3-yl)imidazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin- ++2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 12-[4-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)imidazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- 18.22pyridyl)acetamide 22-[5-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)-2-thienyl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- 0.14pyridyl)acetamide 32-[4-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2- 12.18pyridyl)acetamide 4N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4- 0.90pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide 5N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4-(4-pyridyl)imidazol-1- 47.04yl]acetamide 6 tert-butyl4-[6-[[2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1- 0.91yl]acetyl]amino]-3-pyridyl]piperazine-1-carboxylate 192-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N- 0.10(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 23N-(5-pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)-2-[4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]- 0.342-thienyl]acetamide 352-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N- 0.34(5-pyrimidin-5-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 54N-[5-(4-cyanophenyl)-2-pyridyl]-2-[3,5-dimethyl-4-[2- 0.14(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide 742-[5-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]-N-(5- 0.05pyrazin-2-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 752-[4-methyl-3-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5-pyrazin-2- 0.61yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 932-[3-methyl-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]pyrazol-1-yl]-N-(5- 0.66pyrimidin-5-yl-2-pyridyl)acetamide 107N-[5-(4-cyanophenyl)-2-pyridyl]-2-[5-methyl-4-[2- 0.05(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyridyl]imidazol-1-yl]acetamide

Specificity Immunoprecipitation

L-Wnt cells can be assessed by treatment with alkanyl-palmitate andseveral concentrations of compound. After 24 hours cell lysates could bewashed in PBS (SOURCE) and collected in ice cold lysis buffer (LYSISBUFFER). Dynabeads (SOURCE) can be incubated with anti-wnt-3a antibody(Abcam) for 20 minutes and incubated with lysates for an hour. Beads canbe isolated by magnet and the unbound faction retained. Click chemistrycan be performed on samples using Click-iT® protein buffer kit (Lifetechnologies), following the protocol provided, to conjugate biotin toalkanyl palmitate. Elutes can be separated from the samples by magnetand the resulting samples boiled for 20 minutes to dissociate theconjugates. Beads can be removed and the elutes and unbound fraction canbe run by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, transferred to a membraneand stained for biotin using streptavidin-horseradish peroxidase and fortotal Wnt by specific antibody.

Cell Death Assay

Cells in growth media (DMEM, 10% FCS) can be treated with a serialdilution of compound diluted to 0.1% DMSO for 72 hours. Viable cellnumber was measured by the ability to reduce resazurin to resorufinwhich was detected by fluorescence emission at 590 nm.

Foci Formation Assay

Capan-2 cells can be seeded onto 6 well plates in standard growth mediaand treated with serial dilutions of compound. Cell media was changedevery four days with fresh compound added. After ten days' growth, cellscan be fixed on methanol and treated with crystal violet to visualise.Area covered by cell colonies was detected by Operetta and analysedusing Columbus software.

1. A compound of formula (I):

wherein het¹ represents a 5 membered heterocyclic ring system selectedfrom the group consisting of unsubstituted or substituted: pyrazole,imidazole, oxazole, isoxazole, isothiazole, thiophene, furan, triazole,oxadiazole and thiadiazole, and when substituted the ring system issubstituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected at eachoccurrence from the group consisting of halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄haloalkyl, —OR^(A2), —NR^(A2)R^(B2), —CN, —SO₂R^(A2), and C₃₋₆cycloalkyl; het¹ has a bond to het² and to —(CR¹R²)_(m)C(O)NR³—, whereinhet² and —(CR¹R²)_(m)C(O)NR³— are bonded to non-adjacent atoms of het¹;het² is a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic ring which may be unsubstitutedor substituted, and when substituted the ring is substituted with 1, 2or 3 groups independently selected at each occurrence from the groupconsisting of halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A1),—NR^(A1)R^(B1), —CN, —NO₂, —NR^(A1)C(O)R^(B1), —C(O)NR^(A1)R^(B1),NR^(A1)SO₂R^(B1), —SO₂NR^(A1)R^(B1), —SO₂R^(A1), —C(O)R^(A1),—C(O)OR^(A1) and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl; het³ is a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclicring or a phenyl ring which may be unsubstituted or substituted, andwhen substituted the ring is substituted with 1, 2 or 3 groupsindependently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting ofhalo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A1), —NR^(A1)R^(B1), —CN, —NO₂,—NR^(A1)C(O)R^(B1), —C(O)NR^(A1)R^(B1), —NR^(A1)SO₂R^(B1),—SO₂NR^(A1)R^(B1), —SO₂R^(A1), —C(O)R^(A1), —C(O)OR^(A1) and C₃₋₆cycloalkyl; R¹ and R² are independently selected at each occurrence fromthe group consisting of H, halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A3),—NR^(A3)R^(B3) and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl; R³ is selected from the groupconsisting of H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl; R⁴ isindependently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting ofhalo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —CN, OR^(A4), —NR^(A4)R^(B4),—SO₂R^(A4), C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl and C₃₋₆ halocycloalkyl; m is 1, 2 or 3; nis 0, 1 or 2; and R^(A1), R^(B1), R^(A2), R^(B2), R^(A3), R^(B3), R^(A4)and R^(B4) are at each occurrence independently selected from the groupconsisting of H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, and C₁₋₄ haloalkyl.
 2. The compound ofclaim 1, wherein the compound is represented by formula (IIa):


3. The compound of claim 1, wherein het¹ represents a memberedheterocyclic ring system (A) or (B), wherein: (A) is unsubstituted orsubstituted: pyrazole, imidazole, or triazole; and (B) is unsubstitutedor substituted: imidazole, pyrazole, or thiophene.
 4. The compound ofclaim 1, wherein the compound is represented by formula (III):

wherein X¹ and X² are selected from the group consisting of CR⁶ and N;and R⁵ and R⁶ are, at each occurrence, independently selected from thegroup consisting of H, halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A2),—NR^(A2)R^(B2), —CN, —SO₂R^(A2), and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl.
 5. The compound ofclaim 1, wherein het² is a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic ring which maybe unsubstituted or substituted, and when substituted the ring issubstituted with 1, 2 or 3 groups selected from the group consisting ofhalo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A1), —NO₂, —NR^(A1)C(O)R^(B1),—NR^(A1)SO₂R^(B1), —SO₂NR^(A1)R^(B1), —SO₂R^(A1), —C(O)R^(A1),—C(O)OR^(A1) and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl; provided that het² is not pyridyl. 6.The compound of claim 1, wherein het² represents a ring selected fromthe group consisting of unsubstituted or substituted: pyrazole,imidazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, pyran,tetrahydropyran, dihydropyran, piperidine, piperazine, morpholine,thiomorpholine, oxazine, dioxine, dioxane, thiazine, oxathiane anddithiane.
 7. The compound of claim 1, wherein het³ represents anaromatic, saturated or unsaturated 6 membered heterocyclic ring which isunsubstituted or substituted and comprises at least one nitrogen atom.8. The compound of claim 1, wherein het³ represents a ring selected fromthe group consisting of unsubstituted or substituted: pyrimidine,pyrazine, pyridazine, piperazine, dioxine, dioxane, morpholine andthiomorpholine.
 9. The compound of claim 1, wherein R¹ and R² may beindependently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting ofH, chloro, fluoro, methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl,—OCF₃, —OH, —OMe, —OEt, —NH₂, —NHMe, and —NMe₂.
 10. The compound ofclaim 1, wherein R³ is H or methyl.
 11. The compound of claim 1, whereinR⁴ is independently selected at each occurrence from the groupconsisting of H, chloro, fluoro, methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl,trifluoroethyl, —OCF₃, —OH, —OMe, —OEt, —NH₂, —NHMe, and —NMe₂.
 12. Thecompound of claim 1, wherein m is
 1. 13. The compound of claim 1,wherein n is
 0. 14. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound isselected from the group consisting of:

15-23. (canceled)
 24. A method of treatment of a condition selected fromthe group consisting of cancer, sarcoma, melanoma, skin cancer,haematological tumors, lymphoma, carcinoma, and leukemia, wherein themethod comprises administering to a patient in need thereof atherapeutic amount of a compound of formula (I):

wherein het¹ represents a 5 membered heterocyclic ring system selectedfrom the group consisting of unsubstituted or substituted: pyrazole,imidazole, oxazole, isoxazole, isothiazole, thiophene, furan, triazole,oxadiazole and thiadiazole, and when substituted the ring system issubstituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected at eachoccurrence from the group consisting of halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄haloalkyl, —OR^(A2), —NR^(A2)R^(B2), —CN, —SO₂R^(A2), and C₃₋₆cycloalkyl; het¹ has a bond to het² and to —(CR¹R²)_(m)C(O)NR³—, whereinhet² and —(CR¹R²)_(m)C(O)NR³— are bonded to non-adjacent atoms of het¹;het² is a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic ring which may be unsubstitutedor substituted, and when substituted the ring is substituted with 1, 2or 3 groups independently selected at each occurrence from the groupconsisting of halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A1),—NR^(A1)R^(B1), —CN, —NO₂, —NR^(A1)C(O)R^(B1), —C(O)NR^(A1)R^(B1),NR^(A1)SO₂R^(B1), —SO₂NR^(A1)R^(B1), —SO₂R^(A1), —C(O)R^(A1),—C(O)R^(A1) and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl; het³ is a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclicring or a phenyl ring which may be unsubstituted or substituted, andwhen substituted the ring is substituted with 1, 2 or 3 groupsindependently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting ofhalo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A1), —NR^(A1)R^(B1), —CN, —NO₂,—NR^(A1)C(O)R^(B1), —C(O)NR^(A1)R^(B1), —NR^(A1)SO₂R^(B1),—SO₂NR^(A1)R^(B1), —SO₂R^(A1), —C(O)R^(A1), —C(O)OR^(A1) and C₃₋₆cycloalkyl; R¹ and R² are independently selected at each occurrence fromthe group consisting of H, halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —OR^(A3),—NR^(A3)R^(B3) and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl; R³ is selected from the groupconsisting of H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl; R⁴ isindependently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting ofhalo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, —CN, OR^(A4), —NR^(A4)R^(B4),—SO₂R^(A4), C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl and C₃₋₆ halocycloalkyl; m is 1, 2 or 3; nis 0, 1 or 2; and R^(A1), R^(B1), R^(A2), R^(B2), R^(A3), R^(B3), R^(A4)and R^(B1) are at each occurrence independently selected from the groupconsisting of H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, and C₁₋₄ haloalkyl.
 25. The method of claim24, wherein the condition is selected from t group consisting ofesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, gastric cancer, glioblastomas,astrocytomas, retinoblastoma, osteosarcoma, chondosarcoma, Ewing'ssarcoma, rabdomysarcoma, Wilm's tumor, basal cell carcinoma, non-smallcell lung cancer, brain tumour, hormone refractory prostate cancer,prostate cancer, metastatic breast cancer, breast cancer, metastaticpancreatic cancer, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, cervicalcancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and cancer of the headand neck.
 26. The method of claim 24, wherein the condition is selectedfrom the group consisting of skin fibrosis, idiopathic pulmonaryfibrosis, renal interstitial fibrosis, liver fibrosis, proteinuria,kidney graft rejection, osteoarthritis, Parkinson's disease, cystoidmacular edema, uveitis associated cystoid macular edema, retinopathy,diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity.
 27. (canceled) 28.A pharmaceutical formulation comprising a compound of claim 1; and apharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
 29. The pharmaceuticalcomposition of claim 28, further comprising an additionalpharmaceutically active agent.